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THE  BEAMBLE. 


TO    WHICH    IS    ADDED 

A  LETTER  TO  REV.  THOMAS  WHITTEMORE, 
An  Answer  To 


P5 


EB    HO:Sj 


^A  SERMOJV  OJV  TBMPERAJ^CE  IJV  ALL  THLYGS, 

DELIVERED 

AT 

WOBURN,  STONEHAM,  AND  NEW  ROWLEY, 

AND      A 

RE  P  L  Y 

To  certain  Editors  who  noticed  the  Bramble. 
BY  JOHN  GREGORY— Woburn,  Mass. 


PUBLISHED   By  AN  AS30CL\TI0N"  OF    GENTLEMEN    LN" 
WOBURN,  MASS. 


METHUEN: 

S.  J.  VARNEY....PRINTER. 

1837. 


Entered,  according  to  the  act  of  Congress,  in  the  yea?  1837, 

By  John  Gregort, 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  MassachusetU. 


NOTE  TO  THE  FIRST  EDITION  oF  THE  BRAMBLE. 

Br  the  solicitation  of  iny  friends  in  this  town,  I  have  been  indace^ 
to  write  what  I  consider  an  Expose  of  Abstinence  Societies.  By 
which  I  mean  ail  such  societies  as  are  founded  upon  the  principle  of 
the  entire  abolition  of  all  intoxicating  liquors,  not  excepting  Wine. 

This  being  a  free  country,  and  every  man  having  the  privilege  of 
expressing  his  opinion  on  important  subjects,I  have  deemed  it  my  duty 
to  write  for  the  benefit  of  all  concerned  in  this  little  tract.  From  the 
abstinence  man  I  expect  no  favor,  I  only  ask  him  to  '  Do  unto  oth- 
ers,' &c.  The  intemperate  drinker  will  not  find  a  word  of  en- 
couragement (in  his  ^vicious  course)  in  what  I  have  written,  but 
should  it  be  the  means  of  reforming  him,  I  shall  think  my  labor  not 
in  vain.  Between  the  two  extremes,  abstinence  and  intemperance, 
I  have  found  the  angel  Temperance ;  as  pure  as  ice,  as  chaste  as 
snow.  She  has  many  followers — and  from  them  I  expect  to  find 
support.  If  it  is  unpopular  in  the  course  I  have  taken,  it  was  equally 
M  with  Col.  R.  M.  Johnson,  of  Sunday  mail  memory! 

S.  GREGORY. 
October  10,  1836. 


i 

CONTENTS. 


I.  THE  BRAMBLE.  ^^ 

II.  A  LETTER  TO  REV.  T.  WHITTEMORE. 
in.  ANSWER  TO  THE  HOE. 

IV.  A  SERMON  ON  TEMPERANCE. 

V.  REPLY  TO  THE  TRUMPET. 

VI.  .«        TO  THE  STAR  IN  THE  EAST. 

VII.  "        TO  THE  LADIES  REPOSITORY. 

VIII.  '«         TO  THE  GOSPEL  SUN. 

IX.  REMARKS  OF  THE  SOUTHERN  EVANGELIST. 

X.  "        OF  THE  MAGAZINE  AND  ADVOCATE. 

XI.  RECOMMENDATION. 
XU.  CERTIFICATE. 


INTRODUCTION. 

It  gives  mo  much  pleasure  to  announce  to  the  friends  of  tem- 
perance and  equal  rights,  that  the  first  edition  of  the  Bramble, 
which  one  thousand  copies  were  published,  have  been  disposed 
of.  Having  been  solicited  to  publish  a  second  edition,  with  an 
answep  to  the  celebrated  "Hoe,"  and  having  been  attacked  un- 
charitably by  certain  Editors,  and  believing  that  I  could  not  have 
the  privilege  of  defending  my  sentiments  in  their  papers,  I  have 
concluded  to  publish  this  small  work,  in  self  defence,  and  shew 
the  public  the  abuse  heaped  upon  me,  for  a  mere  expression  of 
opinion.  When  I  published  the  Bramble,  I  did  expect  that  I 
should  be  treated  with  respect,  and  that  my  arguments,  in  fav»r 
of  Bible  temperance,  would  be  investigated  in  a  candid  manner 
But  experience  has  taught  me,  that  I  was  mistaken,  that  I  placed 
too  much  confidence  in  my  opposers.  May  others  take  warning 
from  the  treatment  I  have  received,  and  learn,  that  if  they  oppose 
any  of  the  movements  of  the  abstinence  party,  they  must  expect 
to  be  abused  and  slandered. 

The  Bramble  has  been  attacked,  and  burlesqued,  by  the  lead- 
ers of  abstinence,  and  the  public  has  been  cautioned  against  its 
pernicious  sentiments.  We  affirm  that  we  have  not  seen  one 
candid,  fair  argument,  against  it.  And  we  are  confirmed  daily 
in  the  opinion  that  it  cannot  be  answered  by  Bible  testimony. 
Nothing  short  of  the  Word  of  God,  will  satisfy  us — for  to  the 
Scriptures  we  have  appealed,  and  shall  stand  or  fall  in  that  divine 
oracle. 

The  Letter  to  the  Rev.  T.  Whittemore,  wa«  sent  to  biai,  with 


IWTRODUCTIOir.  \n. 

6  reqdest  that  he  would  give  it  publicity.  But  ICJ^  it  was 
Refused!!  Having  staled  that  I  was  opposed  to  temperance 
I  felt  it  my  duty  to  contradict  the  statement,  in  the  same  print  that 
contained  the  assertion.  But  I  was  denied  that  privilege  !  I  there- 
fore take  this  method  of  showing  the  illiberality  of  the  Editor  of 
the  Trumpet.  If  the  time  has  arrived  that  a  man  cannot  speak 
the  honest  sentiments  of  his  heart,  without  being  abused  and  in- 
sulted— then  farewell  to  conscience  and  liberty  of  speech.  For 
one  man  to  assail  another  for  opinions'  sake — to  blacken  his  char- 
acter by  affected  misconstruction,  and  endeavor  to  prejudice  his 
brethren  against  him,  is  not  only  base,  but  cruel.  And  then  to 
deny  him  a  small  corner  of  his  paper,  that  he  might  vindicate  bis 
sentiments,  is  too  much  like  spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places. 
Mr.  Whittemore  has  professed  much  liberality — yea,  he  has  even 
called  the  Orthodox  "stone-hearted  bigots,''  for  refusing  to  publish 
what  he  desired  to  have  them.  Often  has  this  Editor  laughed 
heartily,  to  see  his  opposing  brethren  manifest  fear  in  publishing 
sentiments  in  favor  of  Universalism.  Having  retrograded  in  his 
liberality,  and  taken  those  he  once  condemned  for  an  example,  bo 
now  refuses  publishing  an  article  on  temperance — 'tis  well — 

"  The  rod  applied  will  make  him  laugh  on  ^tother  side.'* 
We  read  in  the  good  book,  that  '^Jeshuren  waxed  fat,  and  kicked,** 
We  do  not  wish  to  apply  this  remark  to  Mr.  Whittemore,  but 
really  hope  that  he  can  find  some  excuse  for  his  illiberality.  Mr. 
W.  is  doubtless  a  gre^at  man,  but  then,  I  do  not  believed  he  ia 
infallible,  nor  wholly  free  from  sin.  Like  other  men,  he  has  his 
failings;  and  if  he  intends  to  pursue  the  course  he  has  lately  taken, 
I  hope  those  whom  he  calls  rum  drinkers,  will  not  support  him 
in  his  bigotry.  If  they  do,  they  ought  to  consent  to  become  his 
slaves,  and  wear  collars  about  their  necks.  We  do  not  believe 
the  time  vill  ever  come  that  we  shall  bow  the  knee  to  man, 
especially  to  "a  would  be  Bishop,"  or  a  self  righteous  Pope  !  At 
least  we  pray  God  that  we  never  may,  for  wo  are  commanded  to 
call  DO  maa  "  Rabbi,"  for  one  ia  our  master,  even  Christ  ! 


▼111.  IKTROD0CTION. 

As  to  that  wonderful  production  called  the  •'  Hoe,"  designed  to 
uproot  the  Bramble,  we  were  some  time  at  a  stand  whether  it 
were  best  to  notice  it.  After  mature  deliberation,  we  came  to 
the  conclusion  that  it  was  oar  duty  to  "  answer  a  fool  according 
to  his  folly,  lest  he  should  be  wise  in  his  own  conceit."  They  say 
that  owing  to  the  extensive  patronage  which  the  author  has  re- 
ceived, he  has  published  a  second  edition.  The  Bostonians  must 
be  fond  of  good  readings  We  would  suggest  to  the  author  the 
propriety  of  publishing  in  his  third  edition,  the  "  Dream"  of  Mr. 
Cheever.  That  and  the  "  Hoe  "  are  as  near  alike,  as  are  tbe 
"  Siamese  twins. ^' 

In  the  sermon  on  '*  temperance  in  all  things,"  I  have  endea- 
vored to  set  forth  the  great  doctrine  of  temperance,  as  laid  down  in 
the  Bible.  I  am  sensible  that  my  talents  are  incompetent  to  the 
task,  but  I  labor  in  a  cause  to  which  I  shall  be  proud  to  have 
contributed  but  little,  and  to  promote  the  success  of  whieh,  I  should 
feel 'myself  inexcusable  if  I  did  not  contribute  all  in  my  power. 
Trusting,  therefore,  to  the  interest  which  every  lover  of  temperance 
must  have  for  so  good  and  benevolent  a  cause,  I  sincerely  hope  that 
the  imperfections  that  may  be  discovered  in  this  litlle  work,  may 
not  hinder  the  reader  from  examining  with  care  and  attention,  tjie 
arguments  here  presented,  in  favor  of  a  temperate,  regular,  aod  well 
ordered  life. 


THE  BRAMBLE.    . 


"  Then  said  all  the  trees  Hnfo  the  bramble,  Come  thou  and  rn?e 
6vcr  OS.  And  the  bra-.nble  said  unto  the  trees.  If  in  trntb  re  anoint 
me  king  over  yon,  then  come  and  put  yoar  trost  in  my  shadow;  and 
if  not,  let  fire  come  oat  of  the  bramble  and  destroy  the  cedars  of  Leb- 
anon."— Judges,  ix.  14,  15, 

Kind  Reader,  are  yon  in  favor  of  temperance  soci- 
elies,  so  called,  formed  on  the  principle  of  total  abstin- 
ence? If  so,  read,  pause  and  consider.  Are  you  op- 
posed to  those  societies?  Examine  with  care  and  at- 
tention the  arguments  that  shall  be  presented  and  'Ren- 
der unto  Cocsar  the  things  that  are  Cassar's.' 

To  those  who  cannot  see  the  propriety  of  the  mea.^- 
nres  adopted  to  suppress  intemperance,  and  are  content 
■with  the  bible  doctrine  of  temperance  in  all  things,  we 
would  say,  the  cause  in  which  you  are  engaged  is  a 
good  one.  It  is  one  of  benevolence,  of  religion,  of 
philanthrophy  and  good  will  to  men.  Persevere  in 
your  labors,  renew  your  zeal,  and  strive  both  by  pre- 
cept and  example  to  make  all  men  tesiperate. 

To  you  who  are   employed  in   promoting  abstinence 


id.  THE  BRAMBfeE. 

measures,  we  would  respectfully  bow,  and  with  all  de* 
ference  to  your  superior  wisdom,  acknowledge  the  fear- 
ful odds  we  have  to  encounter  in  the  approaching  con- 
flict. Our  heart  would  be  dismayed  were  it  not  that 
we  remember  David  killed  Goliath,  with  a  smooth 
stone,  and  the  wise  man  Solomon  saith,,  'the  race  is  not 
to  the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the  strong,'  we  therefore 
shall  enter  the  field  as  a  combatant  against  you,  en- 
deavor to  disprove  your  measures,  raze  your  citadel  to 
the  ground,  plant  the  standard  of  eternal  truth  upon 
your  Ruins,  and  call  all  creation  to  the  universal  tri- 
umph! Be  not  surprised  then,  if  you  should  see 
yourselves  reflected  in  the  'bramble,'  who  desired  pow- 
er that  he  might  rule  over  the  mild  and  peaceful  olive. 

Should  there  be  sentiments  in  this  little  pamphlet 
which  you  could  not  approve,  do  not  call  fire  out  of  the 
'bramble'  to  consume  us,  but  in  mercy  spare  us  yet  a 
little  longer.  We  believe  your  measures  are  corrupt, 
your  policy  bad,  and  your  zeal  without  knowledge. — 
We  shall  use  great  plainness  of  speech,  for  we  sincere- 
ly believe  the  subject  requires  it.  Many  a  valuable 
life  has  been  saved  by  the  amputation  of  a  limb,  and 
many  a  soul  delivered  from  bondage  by  the  effulgent 
rays  of  eternal  truth. 

We  will  not  say  the  motives  of  all  engaged  in  absti- 
nence measures  are  bad,  for  we  believe  many  of  them 
are  honest  and  sincere  in  the  course  they  have  taken, 
but  we  do  impeach  the  motives  of  the  leaders  in  this 
speculation.     Many  of  them  do  it  for  office,  for  self-ag- 


THE  BRAMBLE.  II. 

grandizeraetit,  and  not  for  the  public  good.     Acting  the 
part    of  hypocrites  they  go    on  Dr.  Ely's    principle  of 
'disinterested   benevolence.^      Affecting  much   sympathy 
for  their   fellow  mortals   in   distress,    they  would   fain 
make   mankind   believe  that  they    are   the  only  philan- 
thropists in  the  world,  the    only  ones  who  feel   for  the 
sufferings  of  hurftanity!     I  might  name  instances  where 
individuals  have  seized  upon  the  temperance  hobby  to 
ride  into  power;    but  they  were  disappointed.     The  an- 
ticipated elevation  of  their  little  souls  into  office  proved 
a  failure.     They  now  reap  the   fruits  of  their   doings  in 
shame  and  contempt.     May  this  be  the  end  of  all  office 
seekers,  who   for  the    sake  of  popularity  would  barter 
away  their  dear-bought  privileges,  and  sell  their  coun- 
try for  'thirty  pieces  of  silver.' 

There  is  much    in  the  passage  of  scripture  placed  at 
the  head  of  this  Kxpose,  that  renders  it   appropriate  in 
our  day  and  generation.     A  'bramble'  is  a  rough  thor- 
ny shrub,  and  is  introduced  in  this    instance  to    repre- 
sent Abimelech,  who  by  his  artful  and  cunning  insinu- 
ations gained  the  confidence  of  the  men  of  Shecheo), 
and  was  anointed  their  king.     He  was  cruel  in  the  e.v-   . 
treme.     His  career  (though  short)  was  pne  of  war  and 
blood-shed.     Thus,  in  the  commencement  of  his  reign, 
lie  hired  a  number  of  Might  and  vain  persons,'  went  into 
his  father's  house  at  Ophrah  and  slew  his  brethren,  the 
sons  of  Jerubbaal,  being  three  score,  upon  one  stone. 

Look  around  you,  kind  reader,  and   inquire  if  there 
je  any  'brambles'  in  our  land    engaged  in   the   absiiii- 


i2.  THE   BRAMBLE. 

ence  enterprise,  who  are  seeking  fur  power,  and  vih% 
like  Abimeiech,  have  already  exerted  their  influence 
against  the  house  of  Jerubbaal.  Are  there  no  lords  of 
the  earth  who  are  endeavoring  to  wrest  from  us  th« 
boon  of  liberty  and  plant — 

'Where  now  waves  the  star  spangled  banner,' 
The  black  flag  of  the  oppressor?  If  not,  'then  rejoice 
ye  in  Abimeiech,  and  let  him  also  rejoice  in  you.' — 
But  I  declare  unto  you  that  I  discover  a  spirit  of  intol- 
et^ance  and  usurpation  among  certain  individuals  that 
would  bind  the  soul  of  man  with  wreaths  of  scorpions, 
down  to  degradation  and  shame.  1  <3ifecover  a  spirit  of 
aristocracy  among  these  exclusives,  that  oace  caused 
'  the  blood  of  our  fathers,  mothers  and  children  to  flow 
over  this  fair  land  of  science  and  liberty;  a  spirit  that 
once  hurled  the  icy  arrows  of  death  into  the  warm  bo- 
som of  society,  and  rioted  over  the  misery  of  God's  in- 
tellectual children!  Shall  we  tamely  submit  to  their 
machinations,  and  allow  them  to  rivet  upon  our  hands 
the  galling  manacles  of  slavery?  JVo!  Let  every  lov- 
er of  liberty,  of  justice,  of  religion  say  in  the  tones  of 
thunder,  No!  We  will  spurn  your  base  attempts  to 
chain  the  free-born  mind,  or  warp  it  into  submission  to 
your  nefarious  schemes. 

Do  you  say  these  remarks  are  unpalled  for,  that  the 
abstinence  men  are  endeavoring  to  benefit,  instead  of 
injuring  community.  Benedict  Arnold  might  have 
made  the  same  plea;  he  doubtless  thought  it  no  harm 
jto  sell  his  country   for  money,    and   who    can  tell  h!^}. 


TUK    BBAMBLK,  ]5 

vhat  the  morers  in  this  wonderful  enlerprise  have  not 
ihesamo  object  in  view.  Takeaway  office  and  mon- 
ejr,  and  you  would  hear  no  more  of  abstinence,  I  will 
warrant  you. 

We  have  long  since  learned  not  to  'cry^  peace,  peace, 
when  there  w  no  peace.'  Our  liberties  are  as  dear  to  U3 
MOW  as  they  were  to  our  fathers,  in  the  days  of  rev- 
olution and  blood.  And  he  who  dare  not  sound  the 
tocsin  of  alarm  when  danger  approacheth,  is  a  traitor 
to  his  God  and  his  country! 

We  love  temperance  as  well  as  those  who  call  thera- 
seWes  'abstinence  men,'  but  we  love  liberty  equally  as 
well,  and  shall  never  consent  to  annoint  a  'bramble' 
king  over  us;  neither  shall  we  put  our  trust  in  their 
shadow,  for  peradveature  it  might  be  the  shadow  of  a 
dungeon's  walls!! 

The  abstinence  leaders  have  increased  their  exer- 
tions of  lat€.  lyiany  lectures  have  been  delivered,  and 
new  measures  put  into  operation;  but  still  the  humilia- 
ting fact  remains  that  there  is  more  drunkenness  in  our 
land  now  than  there  was  seventy  years  ago,  more  tn- 
lemperance  than  before  the  abstinence  speculation  was 
started.  There  may  not  be  as  much  ardent  spirits 
drank,  but  1  am  confident  there  are  more  of  that  class 
whom  the  prophet  saith  were  *drunk,  not  toith  trtne,  but 
ttagger  not  with  strong  drink. ^ 

It  matters  not  with  these  people  how  intemperate 
they  are  in  their  measures;  no  matter  how  many  they 
^buse  and  insult,   but  beliericg  the  'end  justifies  Ihft 


14  THE    BRAMVLK. 

means/  thej  riiiicule  all  who  come  not  up  to  their  stanydr 
ard  of  perfection.  They  point  the  finger  of  scorn  at 
those  temperate  men  whom  God  loves,  and  all  good 
men  should  esteem,  because  their  views  of  temperance 
harmonize  not  with  their  own.  And  if  a  temperance 
man  is  seen  in  the  day  time  going  to  the  store  after 
wine  or  strong  drink,  his  motives  are  called  in  question, 
his  character  assailed,  and  he  is  called  'worse  than  a 
drunkard.'  But  wait  till  after  dark,  with  a  bottle  un- 
der his  cloak,  the  professed  abstinence  man  will,  like  & 
thief  in  the  night,  steal  along  to  the  store,  where  the 
^crillur^  is  retailed,  give  the  store  keeper  a  sly  wiok^ 
ask  for  oil — deprecate  the  traffic  made  in  alcohol — re- 
turn home  in  deep  distress  for  the  fate  of  his  fellow 
mortals,  and  is  only  relieved  by  a  double  portion  of  that 
oil,  purchased  under  the  garb  of  hypocrisy!  No  mat- 
ter how  corrupt  people  become,  they  may  serve  the 
devil  all  their  days  if  they  will  only  join  an  abstinence 
society.  13  n  J<»c, 

I  have  heard  a  great  many  lectores  on  temperance, 
but  I  never  heard  but  one*  that  exhorted  people  to  be 
temperate  in  the  bible  acceptation.  Frofessmg  to  b^ 
wise  above  what  is  written,  they  have  invented  an  im- 
provement, and  doubtless  have  ere  this,  gained  a  'pa- 
tent right.''  Solomon  must  forever  stand  behind  th© 
curtain  for  his  wisdom  and  glory  is  eclipsed  by  the  wise 
men  of  the  f9th  century!  No  doubt  these  men  have 
often  thought  with  Lorenzo  Dow,  that  'Solomon  was  ft 

By  Rev.  I.  D.  Williamson,  Albany,  N.  Y. 


THB-BRAMBLB.  >:r  if( 

trtse  man  in  some  things,  and  a  fool  in  other  th'ragft!' 
That  he  did  not  belong  to  a  total  abstigence  society  is 
evident  from  his  writings! 

In  the  history  of  Abimelech,  we  find  that  he  used 
cunning  and  crafty  means  to  make  the  people  believe 
that  they  would  be  much  better  off  with  one  king  to  rule 
over  them,  than  they  were  with  all  the  sons  of  Jerubba-^ 
al.  But  they  sooa  found  to  their  sorrow,  that  he  was  a 
'Bramble.' 

In  imitation  of  him,  the  movers  of  abstinence  meas- 
ures have  endeavored  to  make  the  people  think  that 
temperance  was  total  abstinence,  and  he  only  was  » 
temperate  man  who  wholly  abstained  from  all  spirituous 
liquors!  Thus  confounding  temperance  with  abstin- 
ence, than  which  nothing  can  be  motei  false.  Under 
the  specious  guise  of  being  friends  to  temperance,  they 
collect  the  people  together,  not  to  preach  bible  tem- 
perance in  all  things,  but  the  system  of  total  abstin- 
ence. A  system  generated  in  the  distempered  brain  of 
Home  wild  enthusia&t,  and  recommended  by  the  aristoc- 
racy of  the  age.  Often  liave  we  heard  them  exclaim, 
'0,  the  blessed  cause  of  temperance!'  *0,  the  blesed 
cause  of  abstinence,' thus  amalgamating  the  one  with 
the  other.  I  do  contend  that  there  is  as  much  differ- 
ence  between  temperance  and  abstinence,  as  'betweea 
lilack  and  white. 

You  are  a  temperance  man,  are  you?    Yes.     You  ' 
^o  not  drink  any  wine  or  strong  drink?     No.     You  be- 
lieve the   bible  enjoins  temperance   in  all  things?     O, 


It  THE    bRAMBLB-. 

yes.  Well,  go  and  live  on  your  principle  of  lempef* 
adce;  reduce  your  theory  to  practice,  in  eating  as  well 
as  drinking,  for  the  bible  says  be  temperate  in  all  things. 
And  you  say  tennperanco  is  abstinence,  and  how  long 
would  you  remain  temperate?  Why,  just  as  long  as 
the  Indian's  horse  did;  the  owner  of  which  tried  to 
make  him  live  (i.  e.  temperately,)  without  eating,  but 
just  before  he  got  him  well  learned,  he  died! 

To  illustrate  the  principle  that  abstinence,  is  not  tem- 
perance, let  us  suppose  a  case.  A  man  starts  this  morn- 
ing for  Boston;  informs  a  friend  that  he  is  going  to  drive 
temperately;  the  man  commends  his  moderation,  and 
steps  into  the  house,  in  the  course  of  the  morning  he 
goes  out  and  finds  his  oW  friend  taking  his  comfort,  read- 
ing a  public  journal  on  total  abstinence.  'Hallo,  friend,' 
he  cries,  'I  thought  you  was  going  to  Boston!'  'Well, 
1  am,'  is  the  reply,  'I  am  only  driving  temperately!'  At 
night  he  goes  out  again,  finds  his  temperance  friend  busily 
engaged  in  the  same  employment.  Not  being  able  to  un- 
derstand his  friend's  temperate  driving,  he  asks  him  to 
explain  himself.  He  informs  the  enquirer  that  he  has 
been  driving  temperately  all  day,  but  for  some  cause  or 
other  he  had  not  made  much  head  way;  but  that  he  was 
confident  it  was  the  right  way  to  drive  temperately.  The 
man  tells  him  he  is  inconsistent,  for  if  it  would  be  tem- 
perate not  to  drive  at  aH,  it  would  be  intemperate  to 
advance  a  single  step,  and  therefore  recommends  him 
to  remain  in  that  position,  and  see  how  long  it  would 
iakc;  with  such  temperate  driving,  to  reach  Bostoal 


f* 


THB    BRAMBLE,  17 


O  that  men  would  be  consistent,  and  learn  to  call 
tilings  by  their  right  names.  I  would  recommend  to  all 
you  engaged  in  the  abstinence  enterprise  to  let  temper- 
ance alone.  That  is  not  what  you  are  laboring  to  pro- 
mote. It  belongs  to  another  class.  We  beg  of  you  gen- 
tlemen to  work  on  your  own  principle,  and  let  others 
promote  temperance  as  the  bible  dictatesi 

That  we  may  have  a  right  understanding  of  the  sub- 
ject before  us,  let  us  enquire,  what  is  the  true  defini- 
tion of  the  word  temperance? 

Temperance,  'is  that  virtue  which  a  man  is  fiaid  to 
possess,  who  moderates  and  restrains  his  sensual  appe- 
tites. It  is  often  however  used  an  a  much  more  gener- 
-*!  sense,  as  synonymous  with  moderation,  and  is  then 
applied  indi^crimiaateJy  to  all  the  passions.' — (Dr. 
Buck's  Theo.  Die.) 

[  presume  this  deftnition  oftemperance  will  stand  (he 
test  of  the  strictest  scrutiny.  *It  is  often  used  as  sy- 
nonymous with  moderation;'  and  moderation,  the  same 
writer  informs  us,  is  'the  state  of  keeping  a  due  medi- 
um between  extremes,  calmness,  temperance,  or  equa- 
nimity.' The  most  prejudiced,  I  think,  will  not  dis- 
pute but  what  this  is  the  only  true  meaning  of  temper- 
ance, i  shall  now  proceed  to  show  that  it  harmonizes 
'with  the  scriptures  of  divine  truth. 

*Add  to  your  faith  virtue,  and  to  virtue,  knowledge; 
and  to  knowledge,  temperance;  and  to  temperance,  pa- 
tience; and  to  patience,  godliness;  and  to  godliness, 
brotherly  kindness;  and  to  brotherly  kindness,  charity. 
2* 


11  THB    BRAMBLE. 

'For  if  these  things  be  in  you,  [what  things?  why,  tem- 
perance,  &c.]  they  malie  you  that  ye  shall  neither  bfe 
barreQ  or  unfruitful,'  &c,  2  Peter,  i.  S'-S.  'Let  your 
moderation  be  known  unto  all  tnen.'  t^hil.  iv,  5. — 
Here  the  apostles  recommend  temperance  and  modera- 
tion to  be  used  in  all  things.  Query— Wonder  if  they 
belonged  to  a  'total  abstinence  society?' 

Every  man  must  know,  who  has  read  the  scriptures, 
that  temperance  is  a  bible  doctrine.  Temperance  in 
eaiing  and  drinking,  are  strongly  enjoined  upon  matr- 
kino,  and  urged  as  important  both  to  the  health  of  the 
body  and  the  mind.  Drunkenness,  gluttonny,  and  eve- 
ry species  of  intemperance  are  reprobated  by  all  the 
inspired  writers.  And  one  of  them  recommends  to  the 
:t]iemperate  man,  'when  thou  sittest  to  eat  with  a  ruler, 
consider  diligently  what  is  before  thee,  and  put  a  knife 
to  thy  throat  if  thou  be  a  man  given  to  appetite,' — 
Prov.  xxxiii.  1,2.  I  would  have  all  victims  of  intem- 
perance follow  this  injunction;  but  1  would  not  recoRi- 
Hiend  abstinence  men  lo  hold  the  knife  for  them,  lest 
they  should  place  it  too  near  the  throat,  and  make 
bad  worse' 

'Take  heed  to  yourselves,'  says  the  apostle,  Mest  at 
any  time  your  hearts  be  overcharged  with  surfeiting, 
and  drunkenness,'  &c.  Luke  xxi.  34.  Here  is  tem- 
perance preached  again  to  the  Jews,  approved  of  God, 
■and  sanctioned  by  his  messenger.  Paul  exhorts  the 
Ephesians  not  to  be  'drunk  with  wine,  wlierein  is  eic- 
<ee«s.'     Ephe.  V.   t8.     And  in  bis  Epistle  to  Titus>oon^ 


THE    BKAMBLB.  '^i9 

•mahds  him  'to  speak  the  things  which  become  sound 
•doctrine.  That  the  aged  men  be  sober,  grave  tem- 
perate, sound  in  fuith,  in  charity,  in  patience.'  In  the 
same  chapter  he  also  declared  thai  the  grace  of  God 
'had  appeared,  'Teachin-g  us;  that  denying  ungodliness 
and  worldly  lustg,  we  should  live  soberly,  righteously, 
-and  godly  in  this  present  world.'  Titus  ii.  1,  2,  12.— 
lo  this  manner  did  the  apostle  preach  temperance! 

Now  examine  the  writings  of  modern  teachers  on  thi^ 
'subject.  Contrast  their  doctrine  of  total  abstinence  with 
the  teachings  of  those  early  Christians,  who  doubtless, 
-saw  as  much  drunkenness   and  intemperance    in   iheit 
day,  as  there  isin  this  generation.     Can  it  be  possible 
that  those  early  Christians,  who  were  favored  with  rev- 
elations from    on  High,  were  so   dead  to  the   cause  of 
suffering  humanity   that  they  did  not  form    themselves 
into  a  total  abstinence   society?     Soil   appears.     Ex- 
cuse me,  kind  reader,  if  I  illustrate  this  seeming  neg- 
lect of  the  apostles   by  introducing   an    anecdote.     An 
old  woman*  who  had  becom^e  a  convert  to    the  doctriae 
of  abstinence,  was   expatiating  on  the    good    tendency 
of  their  measures   to   a   bible   temperance    man,  and 
thought  it  a    great  sin  for  any  one  to  object  to  them. — 
The  gentleman  informed  her   that  the  bible  was  at  war 
with  her  sentimonls;  that  God  required    his  children  to 
be  temperate,  and  use  the  good  things  of  this  world,  as 
not  abusing  them,  and  that  Paul  recommended  his  be- 

•The  lecturers  on  abstinence  generally  relate  stories  about  old  wo- 
wien — and  as  aa  o&et  I  will  introdnce  one  to  their  favorable  ooticc 


(6  1'UE    fiRAMBLB. 

loved  son  Timothy,  on  one  occasion,  to  'drink  no  lon- 
ger water,  but  use  a  little  wine,  (i.  e,  temperately,)  for 
thy  stomach's  sake,  and  thine  often  infirmities.'  The 
old  lady,  not  being  able  to  refute  this  argument,  re- 
tnarked,  as  a  last  resort,  that  Hhe  apostles  did  not  go 
quite  far  enough.'  So  with  the  leaders  in  this  abstin- 
ence enterprise,  the  apostles  did  not  go  far  enough  for 
them.  Thus,  not  only  impeaching  their  wisdom  but 
the  wisdom  of  Jesus  Christ!  'Surely  the  priests  bare 
rule  by  these  means,  and  the  people  love  to  have  it  so.' 
Jer.  V.  31. 

But  I  anticipate  an  objection.  We  are  informed  that 
distilled  liquors  are  not  mentioned  in  the  bible,  for 
there  was  none  manufactured  till  the  13th  century!  and 
therefore  we  are  not  commanded  to  make  a  temperate 
use  of  that  article.  No  one,  I  think,  will  deny  but 
what  the  same  cause  will  invariably  produce  the  same 
effect,  and  as  the  wine  and  strong  drink  mentioned  in 
scripture  produced  intoxication,  it  is  a  fair  conclusion 
that  the  strong  drink  at  least  had  passed  through  a  state 
of  distillation.  I  presume  the'*strong  drink'  was  made 
from  corn  or  barley,  the  same  as  it  no\r  ia.  If  it  was 
not,  I  should  like  to  know  from  what  article  it  was  man- 
ufactured; and  how  strong  drink  could  produce  intoxi- 
cation without  passing  through  some  process  of  distilla- 
tion; likewise  how  wine  could  produce  drunkennesa 
without  fermentation.  Perhaps  some  of  our  abstinence 
friends  can  throw  some  light  on  this  subject!  Will 
they  try  ? 

W«  shall  enAetivot  to  prove  that  wine  and  strong 


idrink  were  given  to  God's  chosen  people  as  blessings; 
ahd  that  judgfmgnts  came  i;pon  them  for  abusing  those 
blessings.  If  we  fail  to  substantiate  these  points,  in- 
form us  of  the  fact,  and  we  pledge  ourselves  to  fall  in 
with  your  system  of  total  abstinence! 

Moses  said  to  the  children  of  Israel'  'and  thou  shait 
bestow  that  money  for  whatsoever  thy  soul  lusteth  af- 
ter; for  oxen,  or  for  sheep,  or  for  loine  or  for  strong 
drink,^  he.  Deut.  xiv.26.  Solomon  says  'give  slrong' 
drink  unto  hini  that  is  ready  to  perish,  and  wint  unto 
those  that  be  of  heavy  hearts.  Let  him  drink  and  for- 
get his  poverty,  and  remember  his  misery  no  more.' — 
Prov.  xxxi.  6,  7.  'Go  thy  way,  eat  thy  bread  with  joy, 
and  drick  (hy  wine  with  a  merry  heart,  for  God  now  ac- 
cepleth  thy  works.' — Eel.  ix.  7.  'And  he  dealt  to  ev- 
ery one  of  Israel,  both  man  and  woman,  to  every  one  a 
loaf  of  bread,  and  sk  good  piece  of  flesh,  and  a  flagon  of 
uji'nc:' — I  Chron.  xvi.  3.  'Now  that  which  was  prepar- 
ed for  me  daily,  was  one  ox,  and  six  choice  ehecp,  also' 
fowls  were  prepared  for  me,  and  once  in  ten  days  storcf 
of  all  sorts  ofipine.' — Nehe.  v.  18.  'And  behold  I  wilt 
give  to  thy  servants,  the  hevvcrs  that  cut  timber,  twenty 
•thousand  measures  of  beaten  wheat,  and  twenty  thous- 
and measures  of  barley,  and  twenty  thousand  baths  of 
mncy  and  twenty  thousand  baths  of  oil.' — 2  Chron.  ii. 
10. 

Thus  we  have  proved,  beyond  a  doubt,  that  wine  and 
strong  drink  were  not  only  given  to  the  children  of  Is- 
rael, for  medical  purposes  but  for  men  in  health.  The 
doctrine  of  total  abstinence,  therefore,  predicated  on  bi- 


Itt  THE    BRAMBLE. 

ble  authority,  is  exploded,  blown  to  the  'four  winds  o^ 
heaven.'  Who  will  gather  up  the  fragments?  fieware 
le.«it  ye  tread  upon  forbidden  ground! 

Why  it  is,  that  men   will  not  be  content  m  following 
the  plain  simple  rules  laid  down  in  the  bible,  I  cannot 
tell.     But  there  are  always  some  ready  to    fall  in    with 
6very  new  measure  invented    by  than.     Not  that  ihey 
are  so  benevolent  and  philanthropic,  as  to   labor    night 
end  day,  for  the  benefit  of  other  people,  without  recom- 
pense: but  Ihey  do  it  out  of  sinister  motives.    Thus  with 
the  abstinence  people,*  against  all  law  and  gospel,  they 
have   waged  an  eternal    war  against   wine   and   strong- 
drink,  and  fain  would  they  drive  it  from  the  earth'.     Ttf 
accomplish  this  object  a  society  is  formed  in  every  town, 
papers  are  circulated    in  all   quarters  of  the  land    and 
Mike  the  frogs  of  Egypt,    they    come  up  into  our    bed 
chambers,  and  kneading    troughs.'     Men,  women,  and 
children,    are   called    upon    to  engag'e   in    the    '■blessed 
ttforA,-,'  and  drive    from    among  us,    what  God   called  a 
blessing,  and  gave  to  his  children  as   such.     So    blind 
and  infatuated    have  some  of  them   become   that  they 
have  polluted    the  sanctuary  of  the   most  high    God. — 
Sieetiened  watei''  is  used  as  a  substitute  for  that  rich  em- 
blem of  Christ'ff  precious  blood,  shed  for   sinners   upon 
Calvary's  cross!     The  blessed  communion  is  turned  in- 
to ridicule  by  the   professed  servants  of  the  Lord,  and 
the  last  request  of  Jesus  to  his  followers  is  mocked  and 
perverted.     If  this  is  not  commencing  hostilities  against 

*  There  are  some  honorable  exception!. 


TBB    BBAMBUt.  .  2$ 

-the  Lord  Omnipotent,  I  know  not  what  is!  Would 
te  God  I  could  make  those  engaged  in  destroying  that 
which  Christ  blest,  (and  commanded  his  followera  to 
,drink  in  remembrance  of  him.)  hear  my  feeble  voice,  I 
would  speak  to  them  in  words  of  doom!  I  would  cry 
aloud,  beware  how  you  trifls  with  y^iur  Maker.  *For 
every  creature  of  God  is  good  and  nothing  to  be  refus- 
ed, if  it  be  received  with  thanksgiving.'  JBeware,  lest 
▼ou  bring  upon  yourselves  tribulation  and  anguish.— 
/Turn  unto  the  Lord,  who  will  have  mercy  upon  "  you, 
and  to  our  God  for  he  will  abundantly  pardon.' 

O,  how  preposterous  it  is  for  men  professing  to  be 
teachers  sent  of  God,  to  set  themselves  up  as  infallible 
and  profess  to  knovv  better  what  men  need  in  meats 
and  drinks  than  the  Almighty.  The  Father  of  all  mer- 
^ciea  declareg,  'Drink  ye  wine.'  Modern  teachers  ex- 
claim, Hold!  That  is  a  deadly  poison!!  God  calls  it 
a  blessing.  They  call  it  a  curse.  Js  the  servant  grea- 
ter than  his  Lord?  So  it  would  seem  in  these  degener* 
ate  days! 

*  The  time  teill  come  ihalfoul  sin,  gathering  head,  shall 
break  into  corruption.^  That  time  has  already  come! — 
And  the  wisdom  of  God  is  impeached  by  his  peace  des- 
-troying  and  rebellious  children.  Why  is  it,  that  you 
thus  make  war  against  your  Father  and  his  holy  word? 
Why  is  it,  that  ye  will  not  content  yourselves  with  tak- 
.ing  the  bible  for  your  guide?  Is  office,  money  or  popy- 
larity  your  object?  If  so,  you  shall  have  your  reward. 
Jirae-aervinff  parasites  never  gained  those  seats  of  boi|'' 


it4  THE    BRAMBLE. 

or  among  the  just,  by  their  hypocritical  abogrtlnationsf 
Your  ruin  is  inevitable,  and  bow  mortifying  ^ill  it  be 
to  have  those  whom  you  have  abused,  and  called  drunk- 
.  ards,  sing  the  requiem  over  your  fallen  expectations. — 
This  shall  be  your  fate!     Hear  it  and  tremble!! 

Having  shown  that  wine  and  strong  drink  were   giv- 
en to  us  as  blessings,  as  much  so  as  wheat,  barley,  corn, 
&c.  1  wpuld  direct   your    attention. to  those  judgments 
r>f  God  which  befet  the  Jews,  for  fin  intemperate  use  of 
those  blessings. 

'Awake  ye  drunkards  and  weep,  and  howl  all  ye 
drinkers  of  lotne,  because  of  the  new  wine,  for  it  is  cut  off 
from  your  mouth.  The  field  is  wasted,  the  land  mourn- 
eth!  for  the  corn  is  wasted,  the  new  wine  is  dried  up, 
the  oil  languisheth.  Be  ye  ashamed,  O!  ye  husband- 
men; howl,  O  ye  vine  dressers,  for  the  wheat  and  for 
the  barley,  because  the  harvest  of  the  field  is  perished.' 
■Joel  i.  6,  JO,  11.  Here  we  find  that  the  Jews  were 
deprived  of  their  corn,  wine  &c.  for  their  wickedness 
and  intemperance. 

After  the  judgments  of  God  had  had  their  proper  ef- 
fect in  causing  the  rebellious  house  of  Israel  to  turn 
from  the  evil  of  their  ways,  behold  the  return  of  God'i 
mercy.  *Let  the  priests,  the  ministers  of  the  Lord, 
weep  between  the  porch  and  the  altar,  and  let  them  say 
■pare  thy  people,  0  I-or^d,  and  give  not  thine  heritage 
Jo  reproach.'  'Then  will  the  Lord  be  jealous  for  his 
land,  and  pity  his  people;  yea,  the  Lord  will  answer 
aad  say  unto  bis  people— Behold  I  will  send  you  corp^ 


THE  BRAMBLE.  25 

«nd  mae,  and  oil,  and  ye  shall  be  satisfied  therewith; 
and  I  will  no  more  make  you  a  reproach  among  the 
heathen!  *Be  glad  then  ye  children  of  Zion,  and  re- 
joice in  the  Lord  your  God.'  *  *  *  'And  the  fata 
shall  overflove  with  wine  and  oil.'  Joel  ii.  17-19,  23, 
24. 

'Here  Zion  is  trailed  upon  to  rejoice,  and  to  be  ex- 
ceeding glad,  for  the  Lord  had  restored  those  blessings 
Tvhich  he  had  taken  from  them  for  their  intemperance. 
Here  an  important  question  arises.  Should  our  absti- 
nence folks  be  successful  in  driving  wine  from  the 
earth,  would  they,  in  imitation  of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  en- 
deavor to  cause  a  return  of  that  'poison.^  Judge,  ye 
candid.  Look  again  at  what  the  prophet  saith:  *In 
that  day  will  I  raise  up  the  tabernacle  of  David,  that  is 
fallen,  and  close  up  the  breaches  thereof;  and  I  will 
raise  up  hid  ruins,  and  I  wilt  build  as  in  the  days  of 
old.  And  I  will  bring  again  the  captivity  of  my  people 
of  Israel,  and  they  shall  build  the  waste  cities  and  in^* 
habit  them;  and  they  shall  plant  vineyards,  and  they 
shall  drink  the  wine  thereof.'     Amos  ix.  11-14. 

I  would  now  solemnly  appeal  to  you,  kind  reader, 
and  ask.  Did  the  Almighty  consider  the  juice  of  the 
grape  a  'deadly  poison?'  Did  he  wish  to  'poison'  his 
children?     O,  shame  on  the  inventions  of  men! 

God  gave  his  children  wine  as  a  blessing,  they 
abused  it,  he  took  it  away  from  them,  and  punished 
them  accordingly!     But  did    he  give  it  to   them  again 

jtfter  they   had    amended   their   ways?     Surely  he  did, 

3  -,— ,, 


96  THE  BRAMBLE. 

and  called  upon  them  to  rejoice.  Here  would  hare 
been  a  glorious  time  to  have  formed  an  abstin- 
ence society.  But  the  Almighty,  not  possessing  the 
wisdom  of  modern  divines,  never  thought  of  the  sub- 
ject. *0j  tell  it  not  in  Galh,  publish  it  not  in  the  streets 
ofAshelon.^ 

And  here  I  woqld  draw  nn  argument  from  the  admin- 
istration of  Jehovah,  in  which  both  the  wisdom  and 
goodness  of  God  shine  resplendent. 

That  wine  and  strong  drink  were  given  t»  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel  under  the  superintendence  of  the  God  of 
heaven,  1  think  has  been  fully  proved.  The  question 
arises,  for  what  cause  were  they  given  to  this  people? 
We  answer,  as  blessings  and  tests,  to  try  their  obedi- 
ence. God  in  his  all-wise  government  has,  since  tho 
creation  of  ajan,  made  use  of  measures  to  try  the  fidel- 
ity and  obedience  of  his  children.  He  has  given  man 
inventive  fjiculties  to  work  out  means  for  support,  and 
encouraged  him  in  the  pursuits  of  life.  Thus — he  cre- 
ated the  rine  which  bears  the  clustering  grape,  and  wa- 
tered it  with  the  dew  of  heaven.  It  grew  and  multipli- 
ed in  all  parts  of  the  earth.  Man,  by  his  ingenuity, 
extracted  the  juice  therefrom,  and  found  it  well-pleas- 
ing to  the  taste.  God  did  not  prohibit  his  creaturo 
man  from  partaking  of  this  invention;  but  pranounced 
it  a  blessing,  and  permitted  him  to  drink  it  with  a  cheer- 
ful heart.  It  became  then  a  test.  Should  man  use  it 
temperately,  and  not  abuse  it,  be  should  be  commend- 
ed for  his  fidelity,  and  receive  a  reward.     Should  jhv 


THB  BRAMBLE.  ip 

use  it  intemperately,  then  should  he  be  punished  for  bis 
ingratitude  and  wickedness.  So  with  the  barley,  com, 
and  wheal — created  for  the  sustenance  of  man.  They 
too,  became  'tests;'  but  man  abused  ihein  all,  and  has 
in  every  age  of  the  world.  But  I  would  ask,  has  not 
the  Almighty  dealt  out  tribulation  and  anguish  upon  ev- 
ery child  of  Adam  for  so  doing?  It  is  a  well  establish- 
ed law,  that  a  man  cannot  drink  too  much,  or  eat  too 
much,  without  suffering  misery.  Th»  drunkard  is 
troubled  with  redness  of  eyes,  bloated  cheeks,  and 
palsied  limbs.  The  glutton,  dyspepsy,  gout,  and  a  nu- 
merous train  of  internal  and  external  diseases!  But 
shall  we  drive  from  the  earth  those  blessings,  because 
some  men  have  abused  them?  If  God  has  placed  them 
here  as  'tests'  to  try  our  obedience,  shall  we  impiousi/ 
dare  to  destroy  them?  destroy  what  God  approves?  an- 
nihilate what  he  has  created?  We  know  that  God  will 
bring  good  out  of  evil,  for  we  see  it  exemplified  in  the 
case  of  Joseph's  brethren;  and  shall  we  call  in  ques- 
tion the  means  used  by  the  Almighty  in  the  administra- 
tion of  his  government?  He  declares  that  'he  doelh  his 
tcill  in  the  armies  of  heaven ,  and  among  the  inhabitants  of 
the  earth.'*  Let  us  beware  how  we  oppose  the  King  of 
Heaven.     He  will  govern  his  people  in  justice! 

The  doctrine  of  'total  abstinence'  is  not  therefore  a 
bible  doctrine;  it  is  at  war  with  God's  holy  word,  and 
must  be  considered  a  human  invention.  What  the  Al- 
mighty does  not  approve  cannot  stand!  Already  it  has 
last  its  charm  and  novelty.     The  wheels  roll  very  heaf- 


28  THE  BRAM3LE. 

ily,  and  the  ^liherals,^  are  called  to  the  work  to  rescue 
it  from  oblivion.  We  are  sorry  to  see  some  of  our  or- 
der disposed  to  take  hold  of  this  work  of  extermination; 
for  we  believe  it  is  not  compatible  with  reason  or  reve- 
lation. Our  brethren  no  doubt  do  it  out  of  good  mo- 
tives, but  I  am  confident  that  they  will  not  ho  able  ta 
revive  the  work,  for  like  other  false  doctrines,  it  has  an 
appointed  time.  Already  there  are  strong  symptoms  of 
her  dissolution.     Already  she's— 

'  Past  redemption, 
Ga'en  in  a  galloping  consumptioa. 
Not  a'  the  quacks,  with  a'  their  gumptioa 

Will  ever  mend  her; 
Her  flattering  pulse  gi's  strong  presumption; 

Death  soon  will  end  her.' 

If  the  friends  of  total  abstinence  would  only  be  tem^ 
perate  in  their  measures,  they  might  gain  more  prose- 
lytes (and  I  am  confident  they  would  more  credit)  a- 
mong  men.  But  they,  like  the  advocates  of  the  false 
doctrines  run  into  extremes,  and  are  not  disposed  to 
hear  but  one  side  of  the  question.  When  a  man  enga- 
ges in  the  work  he  professes  much  benevolence  for  his 
fellow  men,  and  would  not  do  any  thing  to  wound  a  per- 
son's feelings.  This  is  a  very  fair  profession,  and 
would  to  God  he  would  practice  it.  But  wait  until  he 
is  fairly  initiated  into  office,  clothed  with  a  Hitlle  briefs 
authority,^  he  soon  grows  warm  on  the  subject,  and  be- 
fore he  knows  what  he  is  alK>ut  he  conjures  up  the  io^ 


THE  BRAMBLE.  29 

habitants  of  the  infernal  pit,*  places  the  grim  Old  King 
behind  a  hogshead  of  rum  in  a  distillery — sets  him  to 
retailing  Bibles  and  Rum — blackens  the  character  of 
respectable  people,  and  throws  community  into  disorder 
and  confusion!  Inquire  the  motive  he  has  in  thus  dis- 
gracing humanity,  and  you  will  be  gravely  told — It  is 
done  out  of  pure  'disinterested  benevolence.^  Benevo- 
lence indeed!  Why  a  man  might  as  well  set  fire  to  his 
neighbor's  house  and  plead  benevolence  as  to  blacken 
his  character  and  ruin  his  reputation. 
•  I  have  said  the  abstinence  folks  go  upon  extremes. 
This  is  verified  daily.  But  a  few  vi'eeks  ago,  we  saw 
an  account,  given  by  a  certain  editor,!  ef  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  second  centennial  anniversary  of  the  found- 
ing of  Harvard  College.  This  editor  remarked  that  be 
saw  but  one  thing  on  the  occasion,  which  was  to  him  a 
source  of  regret.  Well,  what  was  that?  Why  he  dis- 
covered intoxicating  liquors — but  as  he  has  only  men- 
tioned tcine,  we  presume  that  was  the  only  intoxicating 
liquor  on  the  table.  The  literati  of  New  England,  we 
are  informed,  sat  a  bad  example.  'An  example,  detri- 
mental to  the  temperance  reformation.'  We  suppose 
by  this  as  he  has  mentioned  a  'free  use  of  wine,'  that 
the  honorable  gentlemen  there  assembled  had  a  regular 
^spree.''  Else  their  example  could  not  have  been  detri- 
mental to  the  temperance  reformation — for  temperance, 

•  Rev.  Mr.  Cheever,  Salem,  Mass. 
t  Rev.  T.  VVhiUemor*. 


3«P  THE  BRAMBLE. 

a«  we  have  shown,  signifies  moderation.  We  do  not  be- 
lieve that  they  sat  a  bad  example  to  the  cause  of  tempe* 
ranee,  but  feel  more  charitable  toward  them  than  our 
brother.  If  there  were  some  there  who  drank  too  much 
there  might  also  have  been  some  there  who  ale  too 
much.  We  know  not  that  our  brother  himself  is  free 
from  this  species  of  intemperance.  If  such  be  the  case 
the  words  of  our  Savior  will  apply,  'Cast  out  first  the 
beam  out  of  thine  own  eye,  and  then  shalt  thou  see 
clearly  to  pull  out  the  mote  that  .is  in  thy  brother's  eye. 
Luke  vi.  42. 

Again,  the  subject  of  abstinence  has  been  made  a  po* 
litical  question.  Does  any  one  doubt  this?  Let  facts 
show  that  have  transpired  ia  this  town!  A  gentleman* 
was  employed  to  deliver  a  lecture  on  abstinence  in  this 
village.  He  came  according  lo  appointment,  and  deliv- 
ered a  philippic  against  the  temperate  people — told  his 
friends  to  carry  it  lo  the  polls.  To  the  polls,  he  cried, 
and  put  none  into  office  but  what  are  abstinence  men;^ 
To  the  polls  they  carried  it,  obedient  to  his  commands, 
and  strife  and  confusion  ensued.  Now  we  would  not 
object  to  their  carrying  it  to  the  polls,  providing  it  were 
done  understandingly.  Many  good,  unsuspecting  friends 
to  their  measures,  do  not  discover  their  policy,  and  con- 
sequently are  led  to  vote  against  their  own  political 
feelings.  Do  you  wish  to  know  how  this  is  done?  I 
can  tell  you  in  a  few  words  (though  not  a  politician.) 

*  Mr.  Sargeaat,  Boston. 
S* 


THE    BRAMBLE.  jS^I 

This  town  is  decidedly  in  favor  of  the  present  admiti' 
istration.  Those  that  are  opposed  are  almost  to  a  man 
abstinence  men.  Many  of  the  latter  have  seized  upon 
this  enterprise,  thinking  that  some  republicans  would 
sacrifice  their  poliiical  privileges,  for  the  sake  of  putting 
them  into  office  who  would  not  grant  Hicenses,^  &c. — 
Thus  a  Jackson  man  is  led  to  vote  for  a  Whig,  not  be- 
cause he  likes  his  political  sentiments,  but  he  imagines 
that  he  will  aid  the  cause  of  abstinence.  By  making  the 
friends  of  abstinence  believe  that  their  object  is  to  pro- 
mote their  cause,  they  are  caught  with  guile  and  are  led 
to  vote  against  their  brethren  in  politics.'  The  object  of 
the  leaders  in  this  speculation  may  be  seen  at  a  glance. 
They  are  at  war  with  our  republican  government,  under 
the  guise  of  would  be  friends  to  abstinence.  *A  word 
to  the  wise  is  sufficient!' 

While  on  the  subject  of  extremes  among  abstinence 
folks,  I  might  direct  your  attention  to  the  havoc  that 
has  been  made  among  the  unfortunate  Baptists  in  this 
town.  But  I  forbear!  God  grant  that  we  may  keep 
out  of  our  ranks  this  desolation,  which  has  come  upon 
our  neighbors,  and  preserve  us  from  ruin. 

But  am  I  told  if  we  have  discovered'  evils  among 
the  leaders  of  the  abstinence  enterprise,  we  ought  ta 
take  hold  with  them,  and  rectify  the  matter.''  What 
saith  Holy  Writ?  'Be  ye  separate  saith  the  Lord.' — 
•What  concord  hath  Christ  with  Beliel.'  Did  we  ap- 
prove of  your  abstinence  measures,  we  should  not  fait 
in  with  you.     No,  gentlemen!     You  must  set  a  good 


82  THB    BRAMBLE. 

example,  and  show  that  you  are  worthy  of  our  sup- 
port ! 

But  we  are  informed  that  the  cause  is  a  good  one, 
and  we  ought  to  be  engaged  in  promoting  it!  What 
cause  is  a  good  one?  If  you  mean  temperance,  we  ac- 
knowledge it  is  not  only  good,  but  a  glorious  one,  and 
we  will  go  with  you  heart  and  hand  in  preaching  it  a- 
mong  men!  But  if  you  mean  'total  abstinence,'  we  de- 
ny that  it  is  a  good  one,  and  until  you  bring  us  a  'Thus 
saith  the  Lord,'  to  prove  it,  we  shall  oppose  it.  We  re- 
collect that  you  once  said,  'the  temperate  drinker  was 
worse  than  the  drunkard.'  That  you  once  called  a  good 
sentiment.  But  public  opinion  has  made  you  take  back 
the  assertion;  you  are  now  endeavoring  to  wipe  ofFiho 
reproach  you  have  brought  upon  your  'good  cause:''—- 
God  grant  that  you  may  be  successful  in  your  labors! 

We  are  now  told  that  the  example  of  the  temperate 
drinker  is  bad.  But  this  is  false;  for  God  commands 
bis  children  to  be  temperate  and  it  is  all  that  is  requir- 
ed by  his  law.  He  loves  the  temperate  man,  and  wo 
unto  you  who  abuse  him.  The  example  of  the  temper- 
ate drinker  is  moderation,  and  if  all  men  would  imitate 
him  there  wculd  be  no  drunkards.  But  you  say,  all  in- 
temperate men  were  once  temperate  drinkers,  so  were 
all  gluttons  once  temperate  eaters,  and  shall  we  ab- 
stain from  eating  because  some  men  eat  too  much. — 
We  might  with  the  same  propriety,  as  to  utterly  ab- 
stain from  drinking! 

But  you  say  intemperance  io  drinking  is  such  a  great 


THE    BRAMBLE.  $3 

evil,  that  societies  ought  to  be  formed  to  put  a  stop  to 
it.  There  are  other  evils  in  the  world,  1  am  confident, 
as  bad  as  this.  One  especially  that  produces  as  much 
misery,  and  corrupts  society  as  bad  as  intemperate 
drinking.  Do  you  ask  what  it  is!  Look  at  your  sev- 
enth commandment!  Why  not  form  a  total  abstinence 
society  on  that  principle? 

Were  it   proper  I  might   point  you    to   families   that     • 
have  been   ruined  by  this   species  of  intemperance!     I 
might   point  you  to  the  heart-broken  victims  of  debau- 
-ch^ry,  who   roll    in  filth  and   corruption!     I  might  pre- 
sent you  with  facts  that  would  make — 

'  E'en  angels  weep.' 

Humanity  shuddrrs  at  the  crimes  of  gailt  committed 
in  our  land.  But  come,  ye  disciples  in  favor  of  absUn^ 
encc  societies,  come,  buckle  on  the  armor,  and  by  your 
influence  create  an  abstinence  society  agamst  this  vice. 
We  pledge  ourselves  to  furnish  you  with  bible  testimo- 
ny sufficient  to  warrant  you  in  the  enterprise.  Surely, 
the  cause  will  be  a  good  one.  And  if  it  would  be  prop- 
er to  form  a  society  in  (he  one  case  why  not  in  the  oth- 
er?    We  pause  for  a  reply. 

No  one  doubts  but  what  there  is  too  much  intoxica- 
ting liquor  drank  in  our  land.  But  to  say  no  man  shall 
drink  any  because  some  make  too  free  a  use  of  it  is 
presumptuous  in  the  extreme.  Preach  temperance  to 
the  people  as  the  apostles  did.  But  don't  influence 
them  to  sign  a  pledge  and  make  them  hypocrites.     God 


34  THE    BRAMfilB. 

requires  his  creature  man  to  be  temperate  not  only  in' 
drinking,  but  in  all  things.  Intemperance  in  language 
is  a  great  sin.  And  O,  how  much  sin  has  been  com- 
mitted in  this  town  by  this  species  of  intemperance  to 
further  the  abstinence  measures!  More,  I'll  venture 
to  say,  within  five  years,  than  by  drinking  ardent  spir- 
its. 

Let  the  ministers  of  the  New  Testament  do  their  duty 
in  preaching  temperance  to  the  people  in  connection 
with  the  gospel,  and  if  they  fail  in  reforming  mankind 
by  those  means  God  has  given  them — let  the  civil  pow- 
er of  the  land  be  put-in  force.  Follow  the  example  of 
our  selectmen,*  and  it  will  do  more  good  in  reforming 
the  intemperate  drinker  than  fifty  sermons  on  total  ab- 
stinence. This  is  my  candid  belief,  and  I  am  not  a- 
lone  in  this  opihloD.  Let  drunkenness  be  punished  as 
a  crime,  and  then  will  all  men  have  justice  done  them. 
Lock  up  the  rich  man  who  gets  drunk  on  wihe,  with  the 
poor  laborer,  "v^ho  gets  intoxicated  on  whiskey,  and  my 
word  for  it,  you  will  do  more  good  by  these  means,  thaB 
by  compelling  people  to  sign  that  which  they  never 
mean  to  live  up  to. 

If  any  man  asks  how  much  I  would  allow  a  person  to 
drink  of  wine,  &c.  I  would  answer,  'Let  no  man  judge* 
another,  'in  meat  or  drink.'  'To  his  own  master  he 
standeth  or  falleth.'     All  I  can  recommend  is,  'Be  not 


•  Within  a  few  montlis   they  have    carried  two    individuals  to  tb* 
boose  of  correctioB.     This  meets  the  approbation  of  couimauitj. 


THB    BRAMBLE.  3$ 

crunk  wherein   is  excess,'     So   the  apostles  preached, 
and  'so  we  preach.' 

There  are  many  other  points  that  I  should  like  to  no- 
tice, but  the  length  of  this  Expose  w arris  me  to  draw  to 
a  close. 

In  conclusion,  let  mc  exhort  you,  my  fellow  citizens, 
to  be  up  and  doing.  The  law  of  Athens  at  one  time, 
made  it  a  capital  offence,  for  any  citizen  to  remain  neu- 
tral in  times  of  danger.  Let  ua  adopt  this  sentiment  as 
out  motto,  'Hang  the  banner  on  the  outer  wall,' and 
guard  the  rights  of  our  republic.  Should  those  of  whom 
W€  have-freely  spoken  marshal  their  forces  at  the  ap- 
proaching election,  then  look  well  to  your  interest. — 
'Let  us  see  every  heart  a  shield,  and  a  dcawn  sword  in 
every  hand,  to  preserve  the  ark  of  our  political  safety. 
Let  there  be  reared  a  fabric  upon  our  national  consti- 
tution, which  time  cannot  crumble,  persecution  shake, 
nor  revolution  change — but  which  shall  stand  among  u« 
like  some  lofty  and  stupendous  Appenine,  while  the 
earth  rocks  at  its  feet,  and  the  thunder  peals  above  its 
head,  it  shall  stand  Qrm^Dd  imcautable  as  the  pillars  qf 
eternity  I' 


LETTER  TO  REV.  T.  WHITTEMORE. 


Rbv.  Sir: 

I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  notice  you  paid 
my  pamphlelkin  your  paper  of  last  week.  I  expected 
that  you  would  oppose  its  sentiments,  and  therefore  am 
not  wholly  disappointed.  As  a  luck  from  a  wise  man 
is  far  preferable  to  the  flattery  of  a  fool,  I  will,  by  your 
permission,  say  a  few  words  by  way  of  reply. 

You  entreat  the  public  not  to  receive  the  sentiments 
of  this  pamphlet  in  question,  as  the  sentiments  of  the 
Universalist  community  in  general.  You  say  you 
know  they  are  not  so.  Now  when  a  man  says  he  knotcs 
a  thing  to  be  true,  it  is  a  very  easy  matter  for  him  to 
prove  it.  I  deny  that  the  Universalist  community  are 
in  favor  of  the  measures  of  the  total  abstinence  party; 
and  I  call  on  you  to  prove  your  assertion,  or  fake  back 
the  charge.  Were  you  to  examine  the  Unive realists, 
on  this  subject,  you  would  not  find  but  very  few  of  ihera 
in  favor  of  your  measures.  Opt  pf  the  one  hundred 
preachers  that  we  .have  in  New  York  State,  you  will 
not  find  twenty  nmong  them  that  will  advocate  the  vio- 
lent measures  of  abstinence  men. 

Whether  the   Universalist  denomination  will  regret 
jihe  publicaiioD  of  this  pamphlet;  or  npt,  I  cannot  4ell^ 


LETTER  TO  57 

but  I  do  know  many  of  them  who  do  regret  to  find  a 
professed  disciple  of  Christ  at  war  with  the  King  of 
Heaven,  If  1  bad  advanced  sentiments  incompatible 
with  revelation,  why  did  you  not  say  so?  If  I  had  giv- 
en a  wrong  meaning  to  the  word  temperance,  why  did 
you  not  show  wherein?  1  endeavored  to  show  how  the 
Apostles  preached  temperance.  If  you  feel  disposed 
to  wage  a  war  with  any  one,  direct  your  artillery  a- 
gainst  thera.  We  will  see  that  you  have  an  'Open  field 
and  fair  play,  and  let  God  speed  the  right.' 

In  the  Braml)le  1  showed  that  temperance  and  absti- 
nence had  two  different  significations.     That  abstinence 
men  had  stolen  the  word  temperance,  (it  being  a  softer 
word)  to  further  their  measures.     I  did  not,  as  you  say, 
oppose  the  temperance  reformation.     But  I  did,  and  by 
the  help  of  God  I  always  will,  oppose  the  iniquity  and 
abomination  of  the  abstinence  party.     The  abstinence 
people  in  this  town,  and  in  other  places,  deeply  lament 
the  intemperate   measures  that  have   been  adopted   to 
promote  their  cause.     But  you,  Mr,  Whittemore,  seem 
to  approve  of  their  conduct.     I  am  informed   that  you 
once  remarked  in  this  town,  that  the  common   people 
always  took  the  lead  of  the  clergy  in  every  thing,  and 
that   when  the   laity  said  the    word  the  priests    had  to 
'knock    under,'     1  can   now  use   your   language    with 
propriety.     *I  most  deeply  deplore  the  fact  that  there  is 
a  man  in  Mass.  professing  to   be  a  teacher  of  the  Gos- 
pel, an  herald  of  peace    and  good    will  to  men,  whose 
sentiments  are  so  far  bcloui  the  moral  standard  of  the  age.^ 
4 


38  LETTER  TO 

Come  Mr.  W.  you  must  acknowledge  that  you  abstm* 
ence  folks  have  become  intemperate.  Yea,  as  intern- 
perale  in  your  measures  as  those  who  get  daily  intoxi- 
cated  on  Rum.  Whether  the  consequences  are  as  bad 
will,  be  an  after  consideration. 

But  you  say,  you  are  'sick  with  the  bombastic  style 
of  this  pamphlet.'  I  am  very  sorry  that  the  truth  has 
made  you  sick,  Mr.  Whilteraore.  Your  case  is  a  hard 
one.  But  let  us  see  what  can  be  done.  Take  and 
read  the  pamphlet  over  again.  In  it  you  will  find  24 
passages  of  scripture;  receive  them  as  the  words  of 
Almighty  God,  and  if  they  fail  in  curing  you  of  your 
sickness  then  call  me  a  quack,  and  say,  my  prescrip- 
tions are  good  for  nothing. 

That  there  is  danger  sufficient  to  justify  us  in  speak- 
ing warmly  on  the  subject,  will  not  be  doubted,  by  any 
man  of  liberty  acd  equal  rights.  Temperance,  has,  as 
we  have  seen,  been  made  a  religious  and  political 
'Hobby,'  to  ride  a  few  corrupt  am/ocrn/ica/ office  seek- 
ers into  power.  Towns  and  communities  have  been 
thrown  into  commotion,  by  aspiring  demagogues  who 
would  sap  the  foundationof  civil  justice,  and  overthrow 
our  republican  institutions.  Ought  not  every  lover  of 
peace  and  good  order,  to  speak  out,  and  warn  mankind 
of  danger?     Yes!     *In  tones  of  thunder!!' 

You  say,  Mr.  W.  that  I  attempted  to  show  that  it 
was  right  and  just,  and  a  matter  of  duty  for  men  to  use 
intoxicating  liquors.  So  I  did — and  so  I  would  now 
contend.     What  was  stimulating  drinks  made  for,  if  cot 


REV.  T.  WHITTEBIORE.  S9 

to  use?  What  did  Moses  tell  the  children  of  Israel  to 
purchase  wine  and  strong  drink  for,  if  he  did  not  wish 
and  intend  to  have  them  use  those  drinks?  The  scrip- 
tures do  not  recommend  an  intemperate  use  of  them, 
but  a  temperate.  I  have  never  recommended  stimula- 
ting drinks  as  a  common  beverage.  But  I  have  said, 
and  do  say,  that  it  is  the  duly  of  every  man,  to  use  al- 
cohol, when  necessity  requires.  Jl  is,  therefore  not  on- 
ly just  and  right,  but  the  duty  of  every  man  to  use  in- 
toxicating drinks.  But  no  man  has  a  right  to  abuse 
them! 

Speaking  of  the  kind  of  temperance  that  I  advocated, 
you  quoted  the  following — 'If  a  temperance  man  is 
seen  in  the  day  time  going  to  the  store,'  &c.  Yes,  Mr. 
W.  I  would  have  him  go  in  the  day  time,  not  wait  till 
after  dark,  as  you  will  find  described  immediately  aAer 
the  last  quotation!  Yes!  I  would  have  him  go  in  the 
day  time.  I  do  not  believe  the  ancient  people  of  God, 
waited  till  after  dark,  before  purchasing  their  wine  and 
strong  drink;  neither  do  I  believe  that  they  hid  them  un- 
der their  cloaks,  or  under  a  Bushel. 

But  again,  you  say,  'Now  a  man  who  makes  no  use 
whatever  of  intoxicating  liquors,  the  author  of  thii 
pamphlet  will  not  allow  to  be  a  temperance  man.' — 
Surely  not.  Unless  a  man  can  be  temperate  in  that 
from  which  he  entirely  abstains.  A  person  cannot  be 
called  a  temperance  man  in  drink,  unless  he  makes 
•ome  use  of  it.  And  when  an  individual  abstains  from 
any  article,  the  word  temperance  will  not  apply.     But 


40  J.ETTER  TO 

your  views  of  temperance,  Mr.  W.  must  be  peculiar  to 
yourself.  But  a  few  weeks  ago,  you  observed  that  any 
use  of  intoxicating  liquors  as  a  drink,  or  beverage,  was 
an  intemperate  use.  Surely  you  did  not  learn  that  idea 
from  Walker,  Webster  or  Johnson.  Please  inform  us, 
how  you  come  to  that  conclusion — for  there  ia  wisdom 
in  the  remark. 

'Such  temperance  men'  (as  are  not  ashamed  to  go  in 
the  day  time  to  the  store,  &c.)  you  think,  'will  rally  a- 
round  my  banner.'  Thank  you,  Mr.  W.  they  are  the 
ones  we  want.  Give  us  the  temperance  man,  and  yOu 
way  have  the  disciple  of  abstinence^  who  under  the 
garb  of  hypocrisy  would 

'Steal  the  livery  of  the  court  of  Heaven,  to  serye  the  Devil  in.' 

Yea,  we  will  do  more,  we  will  throw  the  intemperate 
drinker  into  the  bargain,  for  you  are  both  upon  ex- 
tremes. 

If  you  or  any  other  abstinence  man  feel  disposed  to 
take  hold  of  this  work,  then  grapple  with  the  doctrine 
of  temperance  ns  laid  down  in  the  'Bramble.'  Show 
that  God  gave  us  wine  and  strong  drink  to  curse  us — 
that  Jesus  Christ  and  the  Apostles  were  wrong  in  their 
views  of  temperance,  and  that  temperance  is  absti- 
■ence.  Yours  Respectfully, 

JOHN  GREGORY. 

Woburn,  October 28,  1836. 


REV,  T.  WHITTEMORE.  41 

Finding  that  Mr.  Whittemore   would  not  publish  the 
above   letter,  I  sent  it  to   JNIr.   Skinner,  Editor  of  the 
'Gospel  Sun,'   and  requested  him  to  give  It  an  inser- 
tion in  his  paper.     But  he  refused!    urging  that  he  did 
not  wish  to  offend  Bro.  Whittemore.     Had  this  letter 
been  addressed  to  any  Orthodox  Minister,  these  editors 
would  not  have  hesitated  a  moment  in  giving  it  publici- 
ty.    They  are  not  so  very  sensitive  about  incurring  the 
displeasure  of  their  opponents  as  they  are  one  another! 
This  fact  confirms  me  in  the  belief  of  the  report  that 
is  going  the  rounds,  that  there  is   a  combination  (with  a 
particular  few)  in  this  vicinity  against  me.     When  the 
Bramble  made  its  appearance,  a   friend  of  mine  being 
in  the  Trumpet  Office,  informed  Mr.  Whittemore  that  I 
had  received   requests  from  clergymen  to  exchange.-^ 
Mr.  W.  was  quite  surprised,  and    said    with  emphasis, 
that  he  should  like   to  know   the   man   that    would   ex- 
change with  me,     A  short  time  ago,  a  Brother  promis- 
ed to  exchange  with  me  in  Dec,  but  on  writing  to  him, 
on  the  subject,  he  changed  his  mind,  and  said  he  would 
rather  not,  for  the  present.     Two  members  of  my  so- 
ciety, called  upon   him,  for  his  reasons.     They  ashed 
him  if  he  had  learned  any  thing  against  my  moral  char- 
acter.     He  answered  in  the  negative.      They    then 
wished  to  know  if  he  would  not  exchange  on  account  of 
my  views  of  Temperance.     He  replied  that  was  no  ob- 
jection.     But  the  reason  was,  he  had  learned  from 
«omo  of  his  ministering  brethren,  (undoubtedly  at  the 


4f  LtTTEn  TO 

Trumpet  Office,)  that    there  was    difficulty  in  my  to^ 
ciety.  * 

But  a  few  days  since,  another  Brother,  after  promis- 
ing to  exchange,  and  appointing  a  time  to  effect  it,  sent 
word,  a  day  or  two  previous,  that  he  wanted  to  dread- 
fully, but  could  not  conscientiously.  No.  He  could  not 
exchange  with  me,  until  the  brethren  around  me  would. 
He  had  probably  learned  from  the  same  source,  that 
there  was  difficulty  in  my  society. 
After  finding  this  state  of  things  existing  against  me, 
sent  a  short  communication  to  Bro.  Skinner,  on  the 
subject,  and  received  from  Bro.  Farnsworth,  a  line,  ad- 
vising me,  not  to  have  it  published-  He  stated  that  he 
did  not  believe  my  brethren  would  refuse  to  exchange 
with  me — that  he  had  a  better  opinion  of  the  Universal- 
ist  Clergy  than  to  refuse  such  civilities.  He  and  the 
world  may  now  see  ihat  brethren  who  knew  nothing  a- 
gainst  my  moral  character,  have  refused  to  exchange. 
And  why?     Because   they  learned  (no  doubt  from  the 

*  In  oar  society  there  are  a  few  iDdividuals,  who  are  opposed  t» 
the  Bramble — but  the  number  ia  very  small.  Whero  there  is  oo« 
againgst  it,  there  are  ten  in  its  favor.  And  where  is  the  society  in 
Mass.  that  has  not  some  members  in  favor  cf  my  sentiments  on  tern- 
pernnce?  I'll  ventnre  that  one  cannot  be  found  that  does  not  contain 
rrore  in  favor  of  bible  temperance,  than  there  are  opposed  to  it  in  my 
pociefy.  Should  I  be  justified  in  refusing  to  exchange  with  any 
brother  on  account  of  there  being  a  half  a  dozen  individuals  in  kis 
caciet J  oppoMd  to  my  views  •f  temperance?    Jndgvye! 


RET,  T.  WHITTEMORE.  4S 

Trumpet  Office,)  that  there  was  difficulty  in  mj  soci- 
ety. 

But  a  year  ago,  my  brethren  in  this  vicinity,  installed 
me  pastor  of  the  first  Universalist  Society  in  Woburn. 
Th9y  then  pledged  themselves,  to  assist  me  in  prosper- 
ity and  adversity.  On  my  part  I  obligated  myself  to 
preach  the  word  faithfully,  to  'shun  not  to  declare  the 
tohole  counsel  of  God.'  Let  any  man  show  that  I  have 
departed  from  the  pledge  then  given,  and  I  will  peace- 
ably withdraw  from  the  order. 

On  that  occasion,  they  gave  me  their  Hands,  and  I 
supposed  their  hearts,  that  they  would  stand  by  me,  as 
long  as  I  remained  worthy  of  their  confidence.  Had  I 
gone  counter  to  the  rules  of  the  Gospel,  their'duty  would 
have  been  to  have  expelled  me,  and  not  to  have  denied 
me  the  privileges  of  the  ministry.  But  because  I  had 
the  independence  to  lay  my  views  of  temperance,  before 
the  public,  they  have  sought  to  ruin  me  by  prejudicing 
the  Brsthren  against  me.  Be  it  so.  I  know  in  whom 
1  believe  and  trust;  and  believing,  I  am  bold  in  pro- 
claiming the  truth.  The  Gospel  I  have  taken  for  my 
guide,  and  I  cari  truly  say  with  the  Poet — 

*SboaId  all  the  fornu  that  men  devise,' 
Assault  my  faith  with  treacherous  art, 
I'd  call  them  vanitj  and  lies. 
And  bind  the  Gospel  to  mj  heart* 

'Whoso  readeth  let  him  understand.' 


THE    HOE." 


1  would  apprise  the  reader  that  a  pamphlet  called 
*'  The  Hoe"  designed  to  uproot  the  "  Bramble,"  has 
lately  beetj  published.  The  author,  in  his  haste  to  get 
his  work  out  of  the  press,  forgot  to  furuish  his  "  Hoe" 
with  a  handle.  The  hoe  is  a  tool  designed  for  agricul- 
tural purpo-ses,  and  is  good  for  nothing  without  the 
necessary  appendage.  We,  therefore,  out  of  kindnesi 
to  the  owner,  will  furnish  his  Hoe  with  a  handle. 

After  furnishing  his  Hoe  with  a  handle,  we  shall  beg 
the  privilege  of  handling  his  Hoe,  and  endeavor  to  dig 
up  the  Thorns,  Thistles,  and  Briars  which  he  has 
planted!  A  word  on  the  propriety  of  choosing  a  Floe 
lo  uproot  a  Bramble. 

Every  man  should  possess  a  sufficient  degree  of  wis- 
dom, to  enable  him  to  select  such  implements  as  will 
best  suit  the  occasion  on  which  he  designs  using  them. 
For  instance,  a  wise  man  would  not  undertake  lo  hew 
down  the  trees  of  the  forest  with  a  penknife,  nor  over- 
turn the  Alleghany  Mountains  with  a  tooth  pick;  there- 
fore, in  choosing  implements  to  bring  about  any  desired 
event,  due  caution  should  be  paid  in  selecting  those 
that  will  prove  the  most  effectual.  The  Hoe,  therefore, 
instead  of  being  a  proper  utensil  to  uproot  the  Bramble, 
is,  as  we  have  seen,  only  fit  to  dig  around  its  roots, 
pausing  it  to  grow  and  spread  with  the  greater  rapidity ! 
And  who  is  the  author  atid  owner  of  this  celebrated 


THE    HOB.  J^ 

Hoe?  Geo.  P.  Oakes,  a  "Type  Setter,"  of  Boston. 
Why;did  he  not  put  bis  name  to  his  splendid  productioo? 
Because  he  was  ashamed  of  iho  bral,  and  like  an  un- 
natural father  denied  it  of  its  birth  right;  and  thus  the 
illegitimate  thing — 

"  Deform'd,  nnfinished,  sent  bef«re  iU  time 
Into  this  breathing  world,  scarce  half  made  op. 
And  that  so  lamely,  and  unfashionable" 

that  not  an  honorable  tnan  in  all  this  mighty  kingdom 
-feels  willing  to  say  a  word  in  its  favor!  Why,  what  an 
ungrateful  man  this  "  Type  Setting"  *isciple  of  absti- 
nence must  be? 

But  who  is  Geo.  P.  Oakes?  Let  facts  sho\r.  Ha 
is  the  individual  who  printed  my  work,  ealled  "  Th© 
Bramble."  Being  desirous  to  have  wy  pamphlet  pub- 
lished, I  called  on  Mr.  Abel  Tompkins  of  Boston,  and 
requested  him  to  do  the  job.  He  employed  Geo.  P. 
Oakes  to  do  the  work.  I  was  told  that  I  could  have  it 
in  one  week,  Saturday  or  Monday.  On  Mondar  I 
went  to  the  office  of  Geo.  P.  Oakes,  and  he  had  just 
commenced  the  work.  1  entered  into  conversation  with 
this  gentleman,  and  he  informed  me,  if  I  mistake  not, 
that  he  had  never  joined  an  abstinence  society,  and  that 
he  could  not  approve  of  the  violent  measures  of  the 
total  abstinence  party.  My  work  was  delayed  on* 
week,  and  a  celebrated  character  of  this  town,  says  be 
read  the  proof  sheet  of  the  "  Hoe"  the  same  day  that 
my  work  arrived  in  Woburn.     The  Bramble  was  delay- 


46  THB    BOB. 

ed  one  week  beyond  the  appointed  time,  and  the  Hoe 
came  out  the  same  day  that  my  work  was  finished!  "A 
word  to  the  wise  is  sufficient." 


THE    PREFACE    OF    TltE    HOE, 

The  author  informs  us  that  on  examing  the  Bramble, 
"  Momus  destroyed  the  equilibrium  of  his  philosophy.*' 
VVheiher  this  man  lost  his  philosophy  in  perusing  my 
v^ork  or  not,  I  cannot  say,  but  he  has  surely  shown 
himself  wanting  if  sound  judgment.  We  however  feel 
disposed  to  think  he  never  had  any  philosophy  to  lose. 
But  he  does  not  pretend  to  answer  my  pamphlet  serious- 
ly. Why  then  does  he  undertake  to  argue  some  parts 
of  the  subject  in  a  grave  and  serious  manner?  yea,  why 
does  he  wax  so  eloquent  and  pathetic  on  certain  points. 
Surely  some  parts  of  the  Hoe  woulddraw  tears  from  a 
grind-slone !  This  sapient  type  seller  acknowledges  that 
this  is  a  free  country,  that  every  man  has  a  right  to 
express  his  opinion  on  all  important  subjects,  and  then 
falls  to  abusing  me  for  opinions'  sake  in  the  moat  ua- 
charitable  manner — 

"O  judgment,  thon  art  fled  to  bratish  beasts, 
And  men  have  lost  their  reason." 

As  to  the  duty  which  prompted  me  to  write  the 
Bramble,  I  would  inform  Geo.  P.  Oakes,  that  it  was  a 
religious  duty  arising  from  a  desire  of  promoting  the 
cause  of  truth  and   righteousness,  aqd   he  will  find  that 


^  TBI    BOS.  ,47 

duty  enjoined  upon  all  mankind,  in  the  Holy  Scriptures. 
This  kind  of  morality  (not  arising  from  toleration,  the 
commands,  or  permission  of  men)  Mr.  Oakes  will  find 
in  that  Book,  of  which  he  appears  to  be  totally  unac- 
quainted. But  the  author  of  the  Hoe  quotes  Scripture; 
80  does  the  Devil  when  necessary,  and  no  one  thinks 
him  any  the  better  for  it.  Mr.  Oakes  is  not  acquainted 
with  my  friends  who  solicited  me  to  write  the  Bramble. 
1  have  taken  the  trouble  to  collect  the  names  of  a  few 
individuals  in  this  town,  and  as  for  their  loving  gin 
toddy,  ect.  better  than  the  disciples  of  abstinence,  I  do 
not  believe.  There  is  this  difference,  however,  the 
former  drink  what  they  wish  in  the  day  time,  while  the 
latter  wait  till  after  dark.  Instead,  therefore,  of  pray- 
ing, "  Preserve  me  from  such  friends,"  I  lament  that 
we  have  no  more  of  them.  I  expected  no  favor  from 
the  abstioence  people,  and  therefore  am  not  disappoint' 
ed.  I  knew  that  but  very  few  of  them  would  be  willing 
to  practice  on  the  injunction  of  our  Saviour.  "  All 
things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  unto 
you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them."  I  however,  ask  no  man'« 
friendship,  unless  I  can  have  it  on  honorable  terms. 
Let  the  public  judge  whether  I  have  held  out  any  in- 
ducement in  the  Bramble,  for  men  to  live  temperately. 
All  I  ask  is,  let  them  judge  righteous  judgment!  Infi- 
dels may  not  find  any  inducement  in  my  work,  for  men 
to  live  soberly,  for  they  do  not  believe  the  Bible.  Be- 
tween intemperance  and  abstinence,  temperance  muat 
«t«nd,  and  I  have  yet  to  learn  that  she  is  in  any  pre- 


48  THE    HANDLE   EOS 

dicament — for  intemperance  and  abstinence  are  as  widt 
apart  as  are  Heaven  and  Hell!! 


THE  HANDLE  FDR  THE  HOE. 

In  handling  the  'Hoe,'  we  shall  endeavor   to  keep  as 
far  from  that  low,  vulgar,  and  slanderous  style  in  which 
it  is  written,  as  we  possibly  can.     But  at  the  same  time, 
tts  Mr  Oakes  appears  to  be  the  official  organ  of  the  total 
abstinence  party  in  Massachusetts,  we  shall  use  the  rod 
and  scourge  him  severely  for  his  impiousness  in  daring 
to  injure  us  by  personal  invectives.     Had  I  ever  assail- 
ed   this  gentleman,   or   wronged    him  in  any  way,  he 
might  have  had  some  excuse  for  heaping  upon  me  abuse 
and  slander.     Hut  no  :  he  cannot  say  that  I  ever  injur- 
ed a  hair  of  his  head.     Can  he  say  the  same  of  me  ? — 
No  !      By  misrepresenting  my  statements,   and  calling 
me  a  Minister  of  unrighteousness,  and  insinuating  that 
I  was  a  tjpler  and  a  drunkard,  the  impression  has  gon« 
•broad,  where  I  am  not  known,  that  1  am  such  a  char- 
acter as  he  has  represented.     I  would  inform  Mr  Oakes 
that  there  is  a  law  against  Slander  :    And  I  would  have 
him  beware— lest  while  h&  thinketb  he  staudeth,  b* 
meets  with  a  fall.     He 

"Who  steals  my  pnrse,  steals  tra^h  :  'tis  something,  notbiDg  : 
'Twas  mine,  'tis  his,  and  has  been  slave  to  thousand*  ; 
Bat  he  that  filches  from  me  my  good  name, 
Robs  me  of  that  which  not  enriches  him, 
^od  makes  me  poor  indeed." 


Th«  author  of  the  Hoc  says,  **Tl)e  Bramble  com- 
jnences  with  nn  address  to  the  'Kind  Reader,*  whom  it 
charges  to  'ri-ad,  pause  and  consider.'  I  shall  endeav- 
or to  do  so — btit  fi;ar  when  the  author  charges  his  read- 
ers to  'consider,'  he  is  !ightin;j;  against  hi:3  own  cause." 
Now  had  Mr  Oaken  complied  with  my  request,  he  would 
not  hiv  under  ihe  charge  of  retaining  my  Manuscript 
until  ho  couid  prepare  an  answer.  As  for  fighting 
.again.st  my  own  cause  hy  entreating  the  reader  to  pauso 
end  consider,  I  have  no  f«?ar  of  the  result:  for  it  ia  ihoso 
ivho  do  not  consider,  that  fall  in  with  the  total  abstinence 
measures. 

He  goes  on  :  "I  never  happened  to  hear  of  any  very 
active  Agents  or  Lectures  in  the  moderate  drinkinz 
cause. '^  What  does  this  man  mean  by  moderate  drink- 
ing ?  Why,  such  as  i  'denominate  Bible  temperance.* 
Then  this  man  never  beard  any  lectures  on  Bible  tem- 
-crance.  Where  has  he  been  all  the  days  of  his  life, 
that  he  has  not  heard  any  one  lecture  on  so  important  a 
topic  ?  Can  it  be  pnspible  that  he  has  attended  the 
meetings  of  Fathers  Bal!6u  and  Sireeter,  without  hear- 
ing them  declaim  against  intemperance,  and  urge  the 
necessity  of  teniperancc  in  all  things  ?  But  he  says— 
"I  never  knew  an  advocate  of  moderate  drmking  (i.  e. 
^f  Bible  temperance,)  to  ctert  his  energies  to  put  down 
immoderate  drinking.''*  There  is  not  a  clcrsyman,  1 
presume,  in  the  city  of  Boston,  but  what  is  in  favor  of 
mod.-  rate  drinking',  vhvn  it  is  nccesssary,  and  that  i^  all 
for  which  I  contend.  Consequently,  Mr  Oakes  never 
5 


50  THE    HANDLE    POtt 

knew  a  man  to  preach  against  drunkenness  without  h« 
belonged  to  a  total  abstinence  society.  How  is  it,  yo 
venerable  servants  of  Cbnst,  who  have  worn  out  your 
lives  in  preaching  the  doctrines  of  the  New  Testament? 
Have  yon  never  exerted  your  enet'gies  against  immod- 
erate drinking?  A  stripling  has  risen  up  in  your  midst, 
who  has  attended  your  meetings  for  years,  and  declares 
he  never  new  a  Biblo  temperance  man  to  war  against 
drunkenness  and  dissipation.  I  verily  believe  Mr  Oake* 
knew  better  when  he  made  the  declaration. 

Again,  Mr  Oakes  says:  "In  Ann-street  or  Broad- 
Btreet,  of  this  city,  he  might  drum  up  a  great  many  re- 
cruits." 

The  Ann-street  and  Broad-street  votaries  of  JJacchus, 
with  all  their  sins  about  them,  I  verjly  believe  are  as 
free  from  crimes  and  iniquity,  as  are  the  violent  disci- 
ples of  abstinence,  who  abuse  every  man  that  will  not 
fall  in  with  their  measures;  yes,  as  free  from  iniquity 
as  those  hot  headed  zealots  in  the  abstinence  cause, 
who  prowl  around  the  country,  and  scatter  discord  and 
disunion.  The  drunkard  does  not  attempt  to  deceive; 
but  the  abstinence  man  does,  and  by  iiis  intemperate 
7.eal  destroys  the  peace  and  good  order  of  society.  I 
plead  not  the  case  of  the  drunkard,  but  that  ofthetera- 
perate  man,  who  has  been  insulted  and  abused,  without 
just  cause.  Mr  Oakes  thinks  that  many  of  the  Ann- 
street  gang  would  rally  around  my  banner.  I  would 
inform  my  antagonist  that  were  I  to  have  my  choice 
between  that  gang  and  the  same  number  of  abstinence 


THC  noB.  61 

lh<>tt,  who  have  patronized  "The  Hoe,"  1  would  choose 
the  former  :  for  I  might  possibly,  by  preaching  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Bible,  reform  some  of  them,  and  by  so  do- 
ing imitate  my  Master,  who  thought  it  not  beneath  the 
dignity  of  his  station  to  eat  and  drink  with  publicans  and 
sinners.  While  the  latter,  professing  so  much  be- 
nevolence, and  possessing  so  much  self-righteousness, 
would  be  too  much  like  the  old  Pharisees — '*  Stand  by 
thyself,  come  not  near  me,  for  1  am  holier  than  thoa," 
He  says,  "  but  this  mighty  man  of  Woburn  does  not 
intend  to  be  very  moderale  in  dealing  his  blows  upon 
the  Temperance  Cause."  I  have  never  spoken  against 
my  own  cause  and  sincerely  hope  I  never  may.  Again: 
"He  has  come  forth  with  full  powers,  as  Satan^s  Pleni- 
potentiary .'"  Well,  it  were  better  to  serve  the  Devil 
on  honorable  terms,  than  to  do  the  dirty  work  of  men 
who  are  ashamed  to  do  it  themselves  !  But  what  saitk 
Christ  ? 

*'If  they  have  called  the  master  of  the  house  Beelzebub 
how  much  more  shall  they  call  them  of  his  household." 

He  says — "Here  we  begin  to  learn  that  this  Mr  Gre- 
gory (whose  name  we  do  not  recollect  to  have  heard 
before,)  is  one  of  the  great  men  of  j^the  earth."  Doe* 
Geo.  P.  Oakes  mean  to  say  that  he  does  not  know  me  ? 
Let  me  introduce  a  few  facts.  I  was  introduced  to  hira 
more  than  a  year'ago,  and  probably  have  spoken  with 
him  more  than  a  dozen  times  since.  And  still  he  say* 
lie  does  not  recollect  of  hearing  my  name.  Or  the  sef- 
ood  Sunday  in  November,  1835,  I  delivered  ao  address 


t^  THB    HANDLE    FOR 

before  the  "Voung  jVIen!3  Universalisl  Institute,"  td 
M'JiicIi  Geo.  P.  Oakes  belongs,  and  shortly  after  receiv- 
ed the  rollouing; — 

BosTONj  Nov,  20,  1S35. 
Rev.  John  GnEGoRY — 

Dear  Sir: 

It  nfTords  me  much  plea- 
sure to  inform  you  that  at  a  regular  meeting  of  the 
"Boston  Voung  Mkn's  Umveusalist  Institute," 
you  were  unanimously  admitted  as  nn  honorary  mem- 
ber. Your  jjresence  is  re(Jucsted  whenever  you  can 
make  it  convenient  (o  attentT. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 

George  C  Piper,  Rec.  Sec^y. 

From  these  facts,  no  candid  man  will  doubt  but  that 
George  P.  Oakes  was  well  acqiiairitfd  with  me,  and 'that 
lie  told  a  falsehood  to  make  the  readers  of  the  Hoe  be* 
lievc  that  that  disgraceful  production  was  written  by  a 
Btranger.  O,  how  much  sin  there  is  committed  by  adv6- 
eating  a  bad  cause  t 

Agiiin,  Mr  Oakes  qtiotcs  the  following  passage  f.cyn 
the  Bramble  :  "We  believe  your  measures  are  corrupt, 
your  policy  bad,  and  your  zeal  without  knowledge.'  In 
reply  he  says,  '  If  our  mensuns  are  corrupt,  it  is  be- 
cause they  are  not  used.  The  moderate  drinker  will 
never  let  his  measures  get  j-usly.'  This  is  a  specimen 
of  ihc  caviling  of  the  famous  autlior  of  the  Hoe.  Why 
did  he  not  come  out   like  un  honest  man,  and  acknow- 


THE    HOE.  5S 

ledge  thnt  the  measures  of  the  total  abstinence  parlr 
were  bad,  (as  they  acknowledge  themselves)  and  thank 
fne  for  stirring  up  their  minds  in  remembrance,  that  they 
might  sin  no  more?  "The  moderate  drinker  will  not 
let  his  measures  get  rustyi"  I  should  like  to  see  th« 
measures  of  the  abstinence  man,  but  he  keeps  them 
locked  up,  and  only  uses  them  in  cases  o[ sickness.  I'll 
venture  to  say,  however,  that  they  are  not  rusty,  for 
most  of  these  abstinence  people  are  sick  as  often  as  wai 
the  man  who  joined  a  total  abstinence  society,  and  that 
was  every  day.  His  wife  remarked  that  she  wished  her 
husband  would  go  and  take  his  name  from  the  "  pledge," 
as  that  allowed  him  to  drink  *  alcohol,'  when  sick,  and 
added,  '  it  is  twenty  days  since  he  joined  the  abstinence 
society,  and  he  has  been  sick  every  day  since.' 

As  for  the  "  nefarious  men  in  England  and  America" 
reforming  so  many  drunkards,  I  do  not  believe.  Where 
they  have  reformed  one  intemperate  man  on  alcohol, 
ihey  have  made  ten  drunkards  on  an  intemperate  zeal. 
Hence  it  is  only  throwing  intemperance  in  another 
channel.  1  do  not  believe  there  is  any  difference  in  the 
sin,  between  intemperance  in  drink,  and  intemperance 
in  passion.  But  I  have  yet  to  learn  that  there  are  less 
drunkards  now,  than  there  was  seven  years  ago;  even 
those  English  and  American  reformers,  cited  to  appear 
before  me,QO  doubt  many  of  them  would  be  found  waul- 
ing! 

But  Mr,  Oakes  says  my  arguments  are  torlorious 
•nd  irrational.     This  comes  with  an  ill  grace  from  one 


64 


THB    HANDLE    TOVL 


who  has  not  discernment  sufiicienl  to  discover  the  forca 
of  an  nrgument.  I  should  think  unuthi^r  lesson  in  the 
school  of  a  certain  Msllnence  Specula[oi\  would  be  quite 
an  improvemenl  to  thid  Type  Seller.  Let  him  look  to 
it  before  he  attempts  again  to  scandalize  one  he  does 
not  know.  He  thinks  JNlr.  Chcever's  conduct  has  been 
as  irreproachable  as  mine.  That  may  be;  but  by  tho 
good  providence  of  God,  we  were  never  whipped  for 
abusing  our  fellow  creatures,  nor  shut  up  in  prison  for 
slandering  our  neighbors.  JNlr.  Oakes  can  undoubtedly 
say  the  same.  But  had  I  slandered  Mr.  Oakes  as  he 
bas  me,  I  certainly  should  be  fearful  of  going  out  of 
doors  after  dark! 

The  insinuation  of  Mr.   Oakes   that  I  had  disgraced 
tho  pulpit,  when  he  knew  nothing  about  me, 

"  Is  base,  and  poor,  unworthy  of  a  tnan 
To  write  a  scroll,  so  villainous  and  base." 

JBut  the  witty  fable — Lord  preserve  the  lamb!  our  risi- 
bility waa  somewhat  excited  when  wo  read  this,  and 
we  could  not  refrair)  from  exclaiming — 

••  You  have  a  nimble  wit; 

I  think  it  was  mcde  of  Atalaata^s  haela." 

Again,  our  author  quotes—' I  have  heard  a  great 
many  lectures  on  temperance,  but  I  never  heard  but 
one  t4iat  exhorted  people  to  be  temperate  in  the  Bible 
acceptation.'  To  this  he  remarks:  "  What!  only  one! 
It  appears  then  you  Bible  temperance  people  are  moI 
Tcry  ECttlous."    This  perversion  of  the  meaning  of  ro;^ 


tllE   IIOE.  85 

lafjjjuagft  must,  I  think,  have  been  seen  by  cvcrycn- 
lighleiied  person  wlio  lias  rearl  iho  Hoe.  I  wna  speak- 
ing of  lectures  dt^voled  expressly  to  {he  subject  of 
temperance — and  by  rny  raying  I  had  not  heard  but 
one  that  advocated  ternperance  in  all  tilings,  he 
draws  tiie  conclusion  that  there  never  was  but  one 
delivered  by  the  advocates  of  Bible  temperance;  well 
might  he  say,  "  Momus  destroyed  the  equilibrium  of 
my  philosophy,"  I  believe  he  spoke  the  truth.  But  I 
would  inform  Mr.  Oakes  that  I  hardly  ever  preached 
a  sermon  in  my  life  without  exhorting  my  hearers  to 
live  sober,  temperate,  and  well  ordered  lives;  and  1 
believe  I  have  done  as  much  good  in  this  way,  by 
preaching  Bible  temperance,  as  masy  have  in  preach- 
ing the  system  of  total  abstinence,  unconnected  with 
the  gospel.  We  do  not  employ  agents  to  lecture  on  the 
subject  of  temperance  exclusively,  for  this  reason:  we 
would  have  every  man  do  his  duty  in  his  own  neighbor- 
hood, in  persuading  people  to  live  religiously.  We 
believe  that  if  every  temperate  man,  would  do  his  duty, 
intemperance  would  soon  be  banished  from  the  universe. 
Let  them  try  It,  and  see  what  effect  it  would  have  upon 
community. 

But  again!  After  qootmg  a  line  from  the  Bramble, 
in  which  I  declared  that  Solomon  did  not  belong  to  a 
total  abstinence  society,  he  remarlis — "Any  one  woold 
draw  the  same  conclusion  ("rom  the  writings  of  Mr. 
Gregory  of  Woburn."  Then  of  a  truth  I  perceive 
There  is  an  afliniiy  between  Solomon's  views  of  tcxi{)e> 
tancs  and  mine.      You  do  me  honor  ovur  much! 


56  THE    HANDLK    FOR 

But  our   antagonist    grows   serious   and    attempts  to 

argue    the  point  that    total  abstinence    is    temperance. 

This   is    certainly    commendable,   for   argument   is  far 

preferable    to   abuse.     Well,    how  does   he  attempt  to 

establish   his   premises?     By  quoting  my  dialogue  with 

his  abstinence   brother.     This   brother    in  the  Bramble 

told  me  that  lie  did  not  drink  awj  wine  or  strong  drink, 

and  still  called  himself  a  temperance  man.     JMr.  Oakes 

takes  up   this  subject  for  his   friend   and  advocates  hia 

cause.     Mr.   Whilteniore    and  others    have    quoted  the 

same  dialouge,  and  given  in  their  credence  against  me. 

I  then  must   contend  with  these   mighty  champions,  or 

give  in  that  I  am  in  the  wrong.     Some  Poet  has  said 

••  A  man  convinced  against  his  will  , 

Is  of  the  same  opinion  still." 

My  will  not  being  convinced,  I  beg  leave  respectfully 
to  dissent  from  them  in  opinion.  You  will  bear  in 
mind,  kind  reader,  that  the  man  in  the  Bramble  says 
he  does  not  drink  any  wine  nor  strong  drink,  and  still 
calls  himself  a  temperance  man  in  drink,  for  it  was  of 
drink  that  we  were  speaking.  Taking  the  defini- 
tion I  gave  of  the  word  temperance  in  the  Bramble, 
1  cannot  perceive  how  that  word  can  apply  to  any 
thing  of  which  we  do  not  partake.  Temperance  ia 
the  modejate  use  of  any  object.  Abstinence  is  the 
disuse  of  any  self  gratification.  But  if  temperance  be 
total  abstinence,  then  to  totally  abstain  from  all  acting 
and  drinking,  would  be  temperance.  Well,  Mr.  Oakes 
how  do  you  like  tbis  conclusion?     You  say  tenyperaoce 


THE    IIOE.  fit 

vi  abstinence,  llipn  I  sny  lo  abstain  fjiim  all  Ihhigs  would 
Be  t<'mperaucp!    Will  you  try  it  ii;i;iiti  ynriek? 

Mr.  0ake3  does  not  like  my  illustration,  that  absti- 
nence is  not  tempiTiuiccj^hy  jhe  inan\s  g»in«;  In  Boston. 
1  Ciinnnt  help  it,  tlio  person  uas  a  thoronj^h  f^oinp:  ab- 
fetinenctj  man,  and  slartid  for  llie  city,  Oct.  JO,  ISS6, 
ond  slioiild  lie  not  meet  with  any  wliirlwiuds,  storms,  or 
tempests,  he  may  possibly  resell  Boston'-.y  spring.  CalJ 
et  llie  Temp«*rance  Journal  OiTicc  antl  inquire! 

It  will  be  rfcoliected  that  I  asked  the  question  in  (ho 
"Bramble,  Why  the  apostles  did  not  f«)rm  themselves 
into  a  tolal  abstinence  society.  To  this  I\lr.  Oakea 
says — "  The  circumstances  in  uiiicli  the  apostles  weto 
placed  admitted  of  forming  but  few  societies  of  any  kind, 
like  lambs  atnong  ivolvps,  hunted  up  and  down  like 
beasts  nf  prey,  but  (e\v  advantapes  were  afforded  them 
for  organizing  and  mannginjr  what  in  tl-.is  our  day,  can 
be  done  with  crery  facility  at  otir  beck."  Admitting 
this,  I  wish  to  propose  one  sinijle  qurslion:  Did  the 
opostles  look  upon  wine  and  strong  drmk  to  be  deadly 
poisons?  If  so,  would  they  not  have  left  n  command  for 
future  penerations  to  war  apainst  their  use?  Alost 
assuredly  they  would!  Now  show  us  the  book,  chap- 
tor  and  verse,  where  any  of  the  apostles  have  spoken 
against  the  temperate  use  of  those  drinks.  Come,  wo 
challenge  you  to  the  work!  IJring  forward  your  strong 
proofs,  ifan«  you  have,  or  abandon  the  field.  If  they 
considered  a  leniptrate  use  of  wine  and  strong  d:  ink 
wrong,  or  injurious,   they  have  said  so  some  where  in 


$$'■  THB  HANDLE  FOK' 

the  Bible,  and  you  are  authorised  by  them  to  fotm  tola! 
abstinence  societies  against  those  drinks.  Now  to  the 
work  and  show  us  your  authority  for  the  course  you 
have  taken. 

Our  opponent  says  again — "Our  author  very  trium- 
phantly quotes  Paul's  advice  to  Timothy:  'Drink  no 
longer  water,  but  use  a  little  wine  for  thy  stomach's 
«ake,  and  thine  often  infirmaties.'  As  this  is  the  only 
place  in  the  iVew  Testament  where  wine  is  recommend- 
ed, all  moderate  drinkers  make  the  most  of  it.'  '■Jh'ow- 
ning  men  will  calch  al  straws,^  is  the  old  saying  and 
this  is  credent,  by  the  handle  Mr.  Oakes  makes  of 
Paul's  advice  to  Timothy.  This  is  the  only  place 
We  are  informed,  where  wine  is  recommended  in  the 
Bible.  We'll  see.  About  1800  years  ago,  if  I  mis- 
take not  'there  was  a  marriage  in  Cana  of  Galilee;  and 
the  mother  of  Jesus  was  there.  And  both  Jesus  and 
his  disciples^  were  called  to  the  marriage.  And  when 
Ihey  wanted  iv'uie,  the  mother  of  Jesus  saith  unto  him, 
They  have  no  wine.  *'  *  *  And  there  were  set  ihero 
six  water-pots  of  stone,  after  the  manner  of  the  purify- 
ing of  the  Jews,  contarning  two  or  three  firkins  apiece. 
Jesus  saiih  unto  them,  fill  the  water  pots  with  water. 
And  they  filled  them  irp  to  the  brim.  And  he  saith  unto 
them,  DraiD  out  noio,  and  bear  unto  the  governor  of  th» 
feast,  and  Ihey  bear  it.  When  th^  ruler  of  the  feast  had 
tasted  the  water  that  was  made  wine,  and  knew  not 
whence  it  w.^s,  (but  the  servants  which  drew  the  watisr 
kuew,)  the  Governor  of  the  feast  called  tl)«  btidegrooni 


TBB  nOE.       ^  5S 

•od  saith  onto  him,  every  man  at  the   beginning. doth  set 
fortli  good  wine;  and   when    men  have  well  drunk,  then 
that  which  is  worse:  but  thou   hast  kept   the  good  wine 
until  now.'     Here  the  great  Savior  of  mankind  changes 
-water  into   wine,  and  not  merely  recommends   but  com- 
•mands   his    servants  to    bear   it  to   the  governor   of  the 
feast.     Yes,  he  actually  changes  water,  pure  cold  wa- 
ter into  what  Ihe  abstinence  people  call  'poison.^     With 
this  fact    before  his  eyes,    let  Ceo.  P.  Oakes  hide  him- 
, self  behind  the    shadow  of  his  own    invisible  greatness! 
,But  again,  Paul  says:  'Be  not  drunk  with  wine,  whereiix 
is  excess., — Ephe.  v.  18.     Now    what    does   this   lan- 
iguage  imply?  simply  that  the  people   whom  he  address- 
ed must  not    make    an    intemperate   use  of  wine.     He 
does  not  say,  you  must   not  drink  a  drop  of  that  ^Drag^ 
goti^s  Blood.*     But  I  recommend   you  to  drink  temper- 
ately.    Do  not    drinii   to  excess.     The  very   language 
shows  that  they  might  use  it,  if  they  would  not  drink  too 
much.     But  if  he  had   considered  it   as  bad    as  many 
people  do  in  our  day,  he  would  have  commanded^hem 
to   entirely   abstain — to  join  a  *lotal  abslinence  sociely.* 
Many,  I   recollect,  have  said   with  scorn,  when  I  have 
brought  these  arguments  forward  for  consideration,  'O, 
you  can  prove    any  thing   by   the  Bible.     It  is  like  an 
-old  fiddle,  you  can  play  any  tune  upon  it  you  please.' — 
Let  us  then  turn  Infidels,  and  burn  up  our  Bibles! 

Again:  Gur  author  says — 'Mr.  Gregory  has  intro- 
duced several  passages  of  the  Old  Testament,  to  show 
that  wine  and  strong  drink  was   permitted  by   Moses, 


€0  TBS  BANDLS  FOR 

ond  recommended  by  Solomon.     Admitling  the  past,  ws 
are  yet  to  leant  tlial  the  wtnoarxi  tlx!  strong  drioU,  u;*- 
ed  in  tiiut  day,  worn  as  riiidoiis  in  iliuir  cfFticts  us  lliose 
used  now  .'     Now  i    would  have    (he    render    rxamina 
those  passages  in  the    j]rninble,  and    then    read  tiic  re- 
marks of  our  opponent    upon    tl.(Mn,  and  if  he  dues  not 
exclaim — O,  Mr.  Oakcs,    *Thou  art  more  puzxied  than 
the  Egyptians   in  their  I'o-^  !'     1  shall  he  much  mistaken. 
*As  ruioous  in  their  eflTecls.'     Strange  indeed!     'J'hose 
drinks  produced    intoxication  in  the   days  of  Noah  and 
Lot,  and  surely    they  do  no  more    in  our  generation. — 
The  people   in  the   times  of  Moses  might  not   have  got 
drunk  as  often  as  some  folks  do  now,  but  then  there   is 
no  doi:bt  but  what  they    ucted  as  bad.     But  we    are  In- 
formed   that    'many    thing:*  were    permitted    under   the 
Mosaic  dispensation,  that  are  not  permitted  now.*     lio 
mentiotks  polygamy,    and  triumphantly  asks,  would  Mr. 
Gregory  recommend    polygamy  and    promiscuous   love 
to  the  practice  of  Christians?     By  the    aid  of  truth  wo 
shall  cndeav<ir  to  sweep  away  the   sophistry  which  this 
disciple  of  abstin^anen  his  used,  and  show  the  weakness 
of  his  argument.      Ho    partly  ackn'»wledges   that   wine 
and  strong  drink  were    permitted  in  the  days  of  Alosea. 
Let  us  hear  what  the  great  Prophet  saitb.     'Tiion  shall 
bestow  that  money  for  whatsoever  thy  soul  desireth;  for 
^  oxen,  or  for  sheep,  or  f<»r  tcmc,  or   for  sirong   drinkV—' 
Hercisan  express  command,  to  tho  children  of  Israel, 
|o  drink  wine  and  strong  drink, 
liow  let  us  s«e   if  Mr.  Oakes    has   produced  a  coii»> 


THE  110%.  6i 

TTiand  in  favor  of  the  evil  he  menlions  as  explicit  as  I 
have  in  favor  of  wine  or  strong  drink.  He  has  made 
the  declaration  that  the  bible  permits  Polygamy.  Can 
he  adduce  any  proofs  to  show  that  the  Almighty  sanc- 
tioned a  law  in  favor  of  that  vice?  No.  He  may 
search  the  Bible  from  Gen.  to  Rev.  and  he  cannot  find 
n  wo»;d  in  favor  of  that  species  of  intemperance.  There 
is  no  Law  of  God  in  favor  of  Polygamy.  It  is  incom- 
patible with  reason  and  revelation.  But  Mr.  Oakes 
says  it  was  permitted,  and  insinuates  that  tt  is  as  lawful 
to  practice  Polygamy  as  to  drink  wine  or  strong  drink. 
O  thou  blessed  Savior!  forgive  their  wonted  attack  up- 
on thy  wisdom,  and  par<lon  the  rash  intemperate  man, 
who  has  dared  to  blacken  thy  character.  Polygamy 
vas  permitted,  so  was  Stealing,  Lying  and  Swearing 
permitted;  but  were  men  justifiable  in  committing  those 
crimes?  Mr  Oakes  has  been  permitted  to  abuse  his 
fe-llow  creatures,  but  then  he  had  no  authority  for  so  do- 
ing. 1  leave  you  to  judge  kind  reader,  whether  our 
opponent  has  answered  my  arguments  in  favor  of  wine 
or  strong  drink. 

Mr.  Oakes  says,  'we  really  believe  that  Mr.  Grego- 
ry has  mistaken  the  banner  under  which  he  professes  to 
be  enlisted,  and  that  instead  of  being  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel,  he  is  a  preacher  of  unrighteousness.'  If  vin- 
dicating the  doctrine  of  temperance  be  unrighteousness, 
then  have  I  mistaken  the  banner  under  which  I  have 
enlisted. 

Again.  <He  conies  forth  to  fight  against  truth  and 
6 


69  THE  BANDLB  FOR 

righteousness,  with  the  Bible  in  his  hand.'  If  tlie  in- 
lemperale  measures  adopted  by  ihe  abstinence  party  be 
truth  and  righteousness,  then  have  I  come  forth  to  fight 
against  them. 

Once  more.  'He  enforces  the  duty  of  ali  men  to 
drink  liquors  moderahUj,  in  the  most  violent  manner.' — 
This  is  false,  and  a  specimen  oi  the  Moral  Honesty  of 
my  opponent. 

He  says — *He  approaches  the  door  of  the  sanctuary, 
with  a  keg  of  whiskey  lashed  to  his  back,  nnd  fighta 
hard,  with  tooth  and  nail,  lor  admittance.'  The  reader 
may  be  at  a  stand  to  know  the  meaning  of  this 
last  quotation.  Were  we  to  understand  it  literally, 
then  Mr.  Oakcs  would  have  the  world  believe,  that  we 
are  in  the  practice  of  carrying  a 'keg  of  whiskey,'  into 
the  meeting  house,  on  Sur>days,  to  treat  our  friends. — ' 
Ha,  ha.  Quite  accommodating.  But  were  we  to  un- 
derstand it  to  be  a  .reply  to  my  remarks  on  using  wine 
at  the  communinn,  which  undoubtedly  he  meant,  then 
the  unjustifiable  attack  upon  the  Holy  service  will  be 
discovered.  Had  not  the  author  of  .the  *Hoe'  better 
examine  himself  nnd  sec  whether  he  is  for  or  against 
Ibe  great  Redeemer  of  mankind!  Speaking  of  intem- 
perance in  drink,  I  remarked  that  there  were  other  e- 
vils  as  bad,  and  having  mentioned  the  breach  of  the 
Eighth  Commandment,  asked  why  they  did  not  form 
Mocietiea  to  put  a  stop  to  that  vice.  Our  Author,  in 
remarking  on  Ihe  aulyect,  labors  hard  to  make  the  rea- 
der believe  that  we  are  opposed  to  Abstinence  societies 


TUE   HOB.  €S 

eh  the  ground  (hat  their  advocates  do  not  furm  socio-. 
ties  against  incontinence. 

We  were  llien  nr^uing  the  impropriety  of  forming  so*' 
tieties  against  any  particular  vice!     And   meant  to  be 
understood,  that  in  our  opinion,  it  was  not  consistent  to 
form    societies,  and   spend  all   our   time    in  warring  a- 
-gainst  one  species  of  intemperance,  while  others  were 
allowed  to  destroy  the  peace  and  good  order  of  society, 
and  plunge  the  Ininian  race  into  (he  dark  gulf  of  corrup- 
tion.    We   believe  that  societies   jsuch  as  ^Jlnli  Gamh' 
iing,''   '«^;i/t  Sweaving,''    *Juli  Shvery,^   ^^nli    Tea   and 
Coffee,''  '■Moral  Reform,''  and  ^Abstinence  Socielies,''  have 
«  bad  tendency;  that  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteous-' 
ness  is  injured  by  (hem  and  that  the  very  measures  ad- 
opted to  support  tijose  socielies,  tend  to  increase  dron- 
fcenness  and  dissipation.     We  have  ha<i  a  little  experi- 
ence in  this  mo((er,  and  we  do  know,  that  wherever  thtf 
measures  of  (he  abstinence  party  have  been  urged,  that 
the  cause  of  Temperance  has  snfTered.     To  besure  they 
may  prevail  upon  a  few    intemperate    men,  to  leave  off 
their  sinful  habits,  for  a  few  days,  and  may  gain  a  large  * 
number,  to  sign  their  pledges,  but  then  they  disgust  the 
most   .sensible  of  community,    with   their   intemperate 
proceedings,  prejudice  the  people  against  one  another, 
break  up   .societies,    and  the    peace  of  neighborhoods, 
and  make    others  as  intemperate    as  themselves!     The 
measures  therefore  adopted  to  bring  about  the  remedy, 
are  worse  than  the  disease. 

But  Mr.  Oakes  says,    intemperance  in  drink,  is  the 


64  THE   HANDLE    FOR 

^father  of  all  crimes.^  This  is  a  very  common  saying, 
but  nevertheless,  a  false  one.  Is  Gluttony,  Incontin- 
ence, Gambling,  Swearing,  Murder,  Stealing,  Forgery, 
Arson,  and  the  long  catalogue  of  Crimes,  which  black- 
en the  pages  of  history,  produced  by  intemperance  in 
drink?  We  know  that  men  have  committed  crimes,  un- 
der the  influence  of  intoxicating  drinks,  but  to  say  that 
intempera^?ce  was  the  first  cause  of  their  sinfulness  is 
what  no  honest  man  will  admit:  and  if  Mr.  Oakes' 
cause  of  total  abstinence  cannot  be  supported  by  the 
truth,  I  would  advise  him  to  abandon  the  ground  he  has 
taken. 

Our  opponent  says — 'But  does  our  author  propose  no 
hieans  for  putting  a  stop  to  intemperaiice?  Oh,  no.' — 
Now  for  a  specimen  of  the  inconsistency  of  Mr.  Oakes. 
He  asks  a  question,  and  then  answers  it  in  the  nega- 
tive. He  then  proceeds  to  give  the  means  which  I  pro- 
posed. 'Let  the  ministers  of  the  New  Testament  do 
their  duty  in  preaching  temperance  to  the  people,  in 
connection  with  the  Gospel,  and  if  they  fail  in  reform- 
ing mankind  by  those  means  God  has  given  them,  let  the 
civil  power  of  the  land  be  put  in  force.'  This  unjusti- 
fiable contradiction  I  trust  will  not  be  overlooked  by  the 
reader.  According  to  the  reasoning  of  Mr.  Oakes,  the 
New  Testament  furnishes  no  means,  to  put  down  in- 
temperance. This  is  perfectly  in  keeping  with  other 
Infidel  sentiments,  expressed  in  the  'Hoe.'  Strange 
indeed,  that  men  professing  the  christian  religion,  cari 
swallow  down  such  sentiments!    This  reminds  me  of  aa 


THE   HOE.  65 

anecdote.  When  Burchard  was  at  Montpelier,  Vt.  a 
very  respectable  old  man,  (and  who  by  the  by,  was  a 
Methodist  preacher,)  was  asked  how  he  liked  Mr.  Bur- 
chard. The  old  gentleman  remarked  that  his  preach- 
ing and  the  effect  it  had  upon  community,  reminded 
him  of  the  Robin  and  her  young.  When  the  robin  re- 
turns from  her  journey  after  food,  her  young  will  open 
wide  their  mouths  and  receive  whatever  the  old  bird 
gives  them;  and  as  they  generally  live  on  worms,  they 
always  get  more  or  less  dirt  with  their  food.  It  is  so, 
added  the  old  man,  with  Mr,  Burchard's  hearers.— 
They  are  willing  to  receive  all  that  be  gives  them,  an(i 
I  for  one  think  that  he  gives  them  ntwre  dirt  than  h* 
does  worm.  This  anecdote  will  apply  to  Mr.  Oake* 
and  his  friends. 

We  say  that  the  Bible  furnishes  means  sufficient  to- 
put  a  stop  to  every  species  of  vice,  among  the  children 
of  men,  and  one  great  reason  why  there  is  so  much  in- 
temperance in  the  land,  is  because  the  doctrines  of  tern-, 
perance,  as  laid  down  in  the  Scriptures,  have  not  beeu 
faithfully  preached.  Many  have  sat  any  thing  but  a 
good  example;  and  instead  of  using  in  the  first  instance 
those  moral  persuasive  means  which  Christ  used  to  re« 
form  mankind,  they  have  poured  out  their  denuncia- 
tions of  wrath,  and  hardened  the  transgressor  in  Idi* 
quity! 

It  is  well  known  that  drunkenness,  like  other  crimes, 
is  punishable  by    law.     The   Revised  Statutes  of  this 
Commonwealth,   declare,  Chap.    130,   Sec.  18.     *Aay 
6* 


68  THE    HANDLK    FOR 

person  who  shall  be  guilty  of  the  crime  of  drunkenness 
by  the  voluntary  act  of  any  intoxicating  liquor,  shall  for 
the  first  offence,  be  punished  by  a  fine  not  exceeding 
five  dollars,  and  for  any  like  oflence  committed  after  the 
first  conviction,  shall  be  punished  by  a  fine  not  exceed- 
ing ten  dollars,  or  by  confinement  in  the  House  &f  Cor- 
rection, for  a  term  not  exceeding  three  months.' 

Now  I  would  ask,  why  do  uur  civil  officers  neglect 
to  enforce  this  law  upon  all  who  break  it?  Why  is  this 
law  permitted  to  remain  a  dead  letter  upon  the  Statute 
Book?  Whoever  heard  of  a  man's  being  punished  by  the 
laws  of  the  land,  for  drunkenness,  unless  he  had  commit- 
ted some  additional  crime, under  the  influence  of  stimula- 
ting drinks?  Such  cases  are  rarely  to  be  found.  The  rich 
man  can  revel  day  and  night  upon  his  delicious  wines, 
abuse  his  wife  and  children,  and  riot  over  the  misery 
he  occasions,  and  be  can  do  this  too,  in  the  face  and 
eyes  of  the  guardians  of  the  public  peace.  But  instead 
of  being  punished,  like  the  poor  man  (who  being  not  so 
fortunate  iis  bis  brother  in  iniquity,)  he  is  suffered  to 
violate  the  laws  with  impunity,  and  riot  in  dissipation. 
Were  the  law  against  drunkenness  enforced  with  as 
much  strictness  as  the  law  against  stealing,  there  would 
not  be  a  tenth  part  of  the  intemperance  among  us  that 
now  prevails.  But  justice,  even  handed  justice,  is  per- 
verted, and  lengthened  into  a  trade.  The  wealthy,  for 
a  paltry  sum,  can  purchase  a  license  to  get  drunk  every 
day,  while  the  poor  man  being  deficient  'in  the  one  thing, 
needful.,''  must  be  locked  np  in  prison  and  sufler  the  p«- 
Baify  of  the  law.     We  complain  not  of  the  executioa  of 


THE    HOE.  67 

the  law  upon  the  poor  man,  but  we  want  no  partiality 
used  in  the  matter.  We  would  have  the  rich  and  iho 
ppor  placed  upon  a  level,  locked  up  in  the  same  apart- 
ment, wear  the  same  clothes,  and  eat  the  same  bread.— 
We  would  have  this  done  faithfully,  in  every  case 
where  the  law  is  violated,  l^et  this  be  done  one  y^ar 
for  an  experiment,  and  I'll  venture  it  will  do  more  good 
than  all  the  abstinence  lectures  ever  delivered. 

But  it  may  be  said  that  were  our  laws  put  in  fore© 
as  strictly  as  I  'would  have  them,  our  Housej  of  Cor- 
rection would  soon  be  overrun,  &c.  Well,  would  it 
tarnish  the  glory  of  our  government  by  carrying  her 
laws  into  effect.'*  Suppose  she  should  be  for  a  few 
years  at  a  greater  expense  than  though  she  did  not  ex- 
ecute her  laws,  ought  she  not  to  make  some  sacrifice 
for  the  public  good?  Would  not  her  desire  to  promote 
the  cause  of  order  and  virtue  bo  extolled  by  other  na- 
tions? Yes;  they  would  copy  her  example.  As  mat- 
ters stand  now,  it  savors  too  much  of  partiality  to  pun- 
ish one  half  of  those  who  transgress  the  law,  and  suffer 
the  others  to  -.scapp.  If  then  the  law  against  drunken- 
ness, be  a  righteous  law,  then  execute  righteous  judg- 
ment, and  let  no  man  violate  it  without  receiving  its 
just  demands.  Eut  if  that  law  is  not  founded  on  justice 
and  men  ought  not  to  be  punished  for  drunkenne3s,thcn 
hoist  the  flood  gates  of  licentiousness  and  prate  no  mor* 
about  intemperance! 

The  next  remark  worthy  of  notice  is  the  following — 
'we  do  Dot  know  that  it  follows,  mankind  will  become 


60  THE  HANBLE  FOR 

hypocrites  wherv  they  sign  a  pledge.'  Whether  the  nat- 
ural tendency  of  totat  abstinence  measures  do  make 
men  hypocrites  or  not,  I  will  not  say.  But  1  do  knoMT 
that  there  are  moro  hypocrites  among  the  ranks  of  pre- 
tended abstinence  men,  than  any  other  society  in  chcjs- 
tendom.  The  Rev.  JMr.  Taylor,  in  a  lecture  delivered 
in  this  town  a  short  time  since,  confirmed  the  assertion 
that  I  made  in  the  Bramble,  that  there  were  hypocrites 
among  the  abstinence  people.  I  thank  Mr.  Taylor, 
for  the  itiformation  lie  has  given  me;  and  as  Mr.  Oakes 
says:  'It  is  unfortunate  tor  the  araument  of  Mr.  Grego- 
ry, that  he  is  obliged  to  point  out  a  solitary  instance, 
where  he  insinuates  that  an  abstinence  man  has  been 
guilty  of  a  breacii  of  propriety.'  I  would  introduce  one 
instance,  to  &how  that  our  enemies  themselves  being 
judges,  conftrms  all  I  said  in  the  Bramble  respecting 
hypocrites. 

Mr.  Taylor  remarked,  (and  called  upon  the  Rev.  Mr, 
Bennett  for  confirmation,)  that  at  a  late  convention  of 
theirs,  a  young  man  was  appointed  to  deliver  an  ad- 
dress. The  evening  before,  it  was  ascertained  that  h« 
had  been  carried  home  in  a  state  ot  intoxication,  and 
that  he  was  very  frequently  found  in  that  situation.— 
The  time  arrived  for  the  address.  The  orator  appear- 
ed and  delivered  his  me^<sage;  all  admired  the  beautiful 
style  in  which  it  was  written.  But  thd  fact  being 
known  that  he  was  drunk  the  night  previous,  destroyed 
the  effect  that  the  address  would  have  produced,  had 
h\a  hearers  not  known  oiP  hi»  intemperate   habits.     He 


fUt  Hot.  6§' 

was  permitted  (0  preach  total  abstinence,  when  those 
who  appointed  him  for  that  purpose,  actually  knew  that 
he  was  so  drunk  the  night  before  that  he  had  to  be  car- 
ried home!!     Comment  is  unnecessary. 

I  once  knew  a  young  man,  who  was  turned  out  of  an 
abstinence  society  lor  drinking  a  spoonful  of  wine  at  a 
wedding.  He  went  to  some  of  the  members  of  the  so- 
ciety and  informed  them  of  the  circumstance.  They 
told  him  that  if  he  had  not  reported  it,  they  should  not 
have  thought  any  thing  of  the  matter.  But  as  he  had 
told  of  it  publicly,  they  felt  it  their  duty  to  excommuni- 
cate him!  Am  I  wrong,  then,  in  saying  that  these  ab- 
stinence leaders  make  hypocrites  of  their  followers? — 
No.  For  said  those  who  were  the  moat  clamorous  a- 
gainst  this  young  man,  'if  you  had  not  told  of  it,  we 
should  let  it  pass.'  'That  is,  if  you  had  played  the  hyp- 
ocrite, as  we  have,  and  kept  still,  we  would  not  have 
turned  you  out  on  any  consideration.' 

I  would  then  lift  up  my  voice  in  warning  all  who  have 
not  been  caught  in  the  'Litnbo,^  to  bevare,  and  not  sign 
an  abstinence  pledge.  Your  character  would  not  be 
safe  among  them,  (or  should  you  make  a  mistake,  you 
will  be  ranked  with  the  drunkard.  The  best  preventa- 
tive from  being  burnt  is  to  keep  out  of  the  fire. 

f>ut  Mr.  Oakes  has  quoted  the  old  hackneyed  story 
(I  believe  it  belongs  to^Mr.  Whittemore,  as  he  has  used 
it  in  most  all  his  lectures,)  about  the  immortal  band  at 
Philadelphia,  signing  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
and    compares  the   signing   of  that   memorial,   to   th« 


7b  THE   HANDLE  i^OR 

pledge  of  an  abstinence  society.  Let  U9  exailiine  tha 
two  cases  and  see  if  we  cannot  discover  some  differ* 
ence  between  them. 

In  the  first  instance,  the  signing  of  the  Declaration 
oflndependence  was/or*  liberty.  The  actors  in  that 
drama,  did  not  sign  away  their  iiomes,  or  their  country, 
but  merely  pledged  themselves  to  support  their  coun- 
try's frcedotn' from  ihc  encroachments  of  iheir  enemies. 
They  gained  their  liberty  and  indeperrdence  by  signing 
and  maintaining  that  immortal  document.  They  be- 
came freemen!! 

Now  in  order  to  have  the  pledge  of  the  abstinence 
party  analogous,  it  must  not  deprive  man  of  any  bless* 
ing  or  privilege.  But  how  stands  the  case?  Have  nof 
the  members  of  abstinence  societies,  signed  away  an/ 
of  their  privileges?  Is  not  a  temperate  use  of  wine  o* 
strong  drink,  when  necessity  requires,  beneficial?  It 
surely  is.  Have  the  disciples  of  abstinence  the  privi- 
lege of  taking  those  drinks  when  thoy  please?  No. 
How  then  have  they  signed  for  liberty?  It  is  all  a 
farce.  'Jhe  pledge  which  they  have  signed  deprives 
them  of  their  liberties;  yes,  they  have  signed  a  pledge 
to  become  slaves!  !  • 

One  quotation  more,  and  we  close.  "  Our  antagon- 
ist has  indeed  proved  his  moderation  in  one  thing,  ho 
has  made  but  a  moderate  use  of  the  scriptures."  In 
the  Bramble  I  quoted  upwards  of  twenty  passages  of 
Holy  Writ  to  prove  n»y  doctrine  of  Bible  temperance. 
JNow  let  us   see  how  many  Air.  Oakes   has  introduced 


THE   HOB.  -ftd 

■  into  his  Hoe,  to  prove  his  doctrine:  Not  one!  No,; 
He  went  strictly  upon  the  principle  of  total  abstinence. 
The  scriptures  did  not  suit  his  ears,  and  therefore  he 
was  under  the  necessity  of  dealing  in  falsehood  and 
assertion.  That  cause  is  indeed  a  poor  one,  that 
cannot  he  supported  without  resorting  to  the  pitiable 
measures  of  slander  and  misrepresentation. 

1  have  thus  endeavored  to  answer  the  remarks  of  the 
author  of  the  Hoe,  on  the  Bramble.  Let  the  public 
judge  whether  1  hare  done  it  faithfully  or  not. 

In  conclusion  I  would  say,  that  while  we  have  life  or 
limb,  we  will  oppose  spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places. 
The  cause  of  temperance  has  too  long  been  made  a 
political  and  religious  hobby  by  designing  men.  Too 
long  has  it  sufTered  by  its  pretended  favorites.  We 
would  lend  a  helping  hand  in  rescuiag  it  from  destruction! 

We  shall  therefore  oppose  all  measures  that  we  deem 
injurious  to  the  peace  and  welfare  of  community.  Wo 
shall  maintain  the  rights  of  the  temperate  man.  Wo 
shall  oppose  all  encroachments  upon  his  liberties  and 
privileges — yes  'sink  or  swim,  live  or  die,  survive  or 
perish,'  we  will  stand  by  the  temperate  man  untiltba 
last  spar  goes  overboard  !  !  ! 

Let  then  the  lightnings  flash  around  us,  and  the  than- 
•ders  roll  above  our  heads,  trusting  in  Almighty  God, 
we  buffet  the  pelting  of  the  storm,  and  ride  on  triumph- 
antly through  the  noisy  swell  of  pride  and  popularity, 
and  come  off  at  last  'conqueror  and  more  than  conquer- 
f4Hf  ia  hita  who  hath  loved  us,  and  given  himself  for  u«!* 


A   SERMOTf 


'"  Let  yoor  moderation  be  known  unto  all  men." 

Phil.  iv.  5. 

This  is  an  eventful  era!  An  era  in  which  the  public 
-mind  is  agitated  to  a  considerable  extent.  We  look  a- 
round  upon  community  and  we  discover  man  at  vari- 
ance with  his  fellow  man — brother  against  brother  and 
father  against  a  son — we  inquire  the  cause  of  all  this 
discord  and  disunion,  and  we  discover  mankind  at  war 
with  one  another,  on  speculative  notions,  and  influenced 
by  aspiring  men.  Instead  of  investigating  doctrines  in 
a  cool,  dispassionate  manner,  party  strife,  rancour,  ha- 
tred, and  animosity  ensues,  and  the  truth  or  fallacy  of 
those  doctrines  are  not  even  called  in  question.  1  am 
therefore  of  the  opinion,  that  there  is  more  noise  and 
confusion  in  the  world,  than  sound  argument  and  plain 
common  sense. 

We  profess  to-  live  in  a  country  where  every  man's  o- 
pinion  is  tolerated  and  respected.  A  country  of  liberty, 
independence  and  equal  rights.  No  man  here,  is  justi- 
fied in  hiding  ivis  light;  but  on  the  contrary,  is  exhort- 
ed to  let  it>shine,  that  the  world  may  know  his  opinion 
on  all  important  subjects.  Jf  he  refuses  to  come  bold- 
ly out,  and  fearlessly  maintain   what  he  believes  to  bo 


A    SERMON.  73 

God's  Holy  Truth,  he  is  called  a  coward,  and  that,  to 
use  a  common  phrase,  Hs  on  the  fence. ^  That  he  dare 
not  for  the  sake  of  popularity,  speak  out  the  honest 
sentiments  of  his  heart.  A  man  of  this  character,  I 
may  remark,  5s  never  considered  an  honest  man.  Of 
all  beings  in  the  world  his  case  is  the  hardest.  God 
deliver  me  from  ever  acting  so  inconsistent  a  part.  I 
would  come  out  in  the  face  and  eyes  of  the  whole  ' 
world,  and  speak  the  truth  and  trust  in  Ged  for  the 
consequences.  The  consequences!  What  care  I  for 
consequences,  if  I  preach  the  truth?  This  is  a  land 
of  liberty!  Who  says  so?  Our  forefathers,  who  spilt 
their  heart's  blood  in  its  defence.  What  do  they  de- 
clare? Speak  thou  illustrious  dead!  Speak  thou  im- 
mortal band,  who  art  basking  in  the  sunshine  of  eter- 
nal glory!  'Every  man's  opinion  shall  be  respected.' 
Knough!  AH  I  ask  of  you  my  beloved  bretheren  is  to 
respect  this  motto  of  those  venerated  saviors  of  your 
country. 

O  that  those  noble  and  generous  hearted  souls  were 
still  living!  They  would  teach  this  degenerate  age, 
a  lesson  worthy  of  the  Poet's  pen,  a  lesson  worthy  of 
remembrance.  They  would  assail  that  intolerate  spir- 
it so  prevalent  in  eur  day,  and  contend  earnestly  for 
the  rights  of  man.  They  would  teach  us  that  liberty  of 
speech,  and  the  right  of  private  judgment,  are  sacred 
and  invaluable.  That  it  is  not  only  right,  but  the  duty 
of  every  man  to  speak  out  in  vindication  of  truth  wheth- 
er men  will  hear  or  forbear. 

7  • 


74  .  A   SERMON. 

But  O,  'how  the  gold  is  changed,  and  the  fine  gokS 
become  dimned!'  The  time  was,  when  every  man's 
opinion  was  considered  sacred  until  proved  false.  Bui 
how  is  it  now?  Let  but  a  man  in  these  perilous  times 
speak  what  he  believes  to  be  the  truth,  and  if  it  does 
not  exactly  harmonise  with  the  popular  doctrines  of  the 
day,  he  is  abused,  reprobated  and  condemned;  yes, 
without  the  'benefit  of  clergy.'  Now  how  are  we  to 
get  at  truth,  unless  we  have  charity  sufficient  to 
examine  with  candor  important  subjects.  We  cannot. 
But  how  often  do  we  hear  one  parly  in  this  boasted  land 
of  liberty,  exhort  their  opponents  to  come  out  and  take 
a  decided  stand,  to  bring  forward  their  strong  argu- 
ments for  examination.  To  vindicate  what  ihey  believe 
to  be  true.  They  are  thus  encouraged,  wiih  the  assur- 
ance that  iheir  sentiments  shall  be  respected,  and  no 
man  abused.  Let  but  one  dog  bark  in  opposition,  and 
where  is  the  charity  of  these  pretenders?  Gone  with 
their  religion  to  seek  a  clime  elsewhere.  Yes!  but 
let  one  man  speak,  and  the  whole  camp  of  the  Philis- 
tines is  in  an  uproar?  His  cl^aracter  is  assailed,  his 
motives  called  in  cjuestion,  and  he  is  looked  upon  as  aa 
'upholder  of  unrighteousness.' 

I  have  been  led  to  these  remarks  by  the  opposition  I 
have  lately  received  for  publishing  the  'Bramble.' — 
The  party  to  which  I  belong  have  been  importuned  by 
temperance  lecturers,  to  publish  their  side  of  the  ques- 
tion. We  complied  with  their  request^  for  which,  we 
have  been  slandered  and  abused!     Be  it  so.     We  are 


k   SERMON.  70 

willing  to  sufier  for  ihe  cause  of  Bible  Temperance, — 
Let  then,  the  bigot  frown,  and  the  superstitious  rage. — 
Let  them  burl  their  anallieinas  at  our  heads.     We  will 

"  Stand  the  hazard  of  the  die." 

And  by  the  help  of  that  God,  wbo  'maketh  the  clouds 
his  chariot,  and  rides  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind,'  wei 
will  overcome  our  enemies.  I  am  truly  sensible  that 
in  opposing  the  measures  adopted  in  our  day  to  sup- 
press intemperance,  I  shall  have  to  contend  against 
the  prejudices  of  mankind.  Many  good  people  seena 
to  think  that  it  matters  not  what  measures  we  take, 
if  we  only  make  men  temperate — that  in  this  case 
•the  end  juotifies  the  means.'  But  differing  as  I  do 
materially  from  those  people  in  the  choice  of  means  se- 
lected to  reform  mankind,  I  beg  leave  in  this  public 
manner  to  dissent  from  them  in  opinion.  I  deeply  la- 
ment, that  our  teachers  have  so  far  departed  from  the 
genius  of  the  Gospel  as  to  use  means  of  their  own,  (in- 
stead of  using  the  means  God  has  given  them,)  to  bring 
about  a  reformation  among  the  intemperate.  1  lament 
that  I  am  under  the  necessity  of  standing  here  in  this 
desk  to  vindicate  the  views  of  our  holy  fathers,  on  the 
-all  important  subject  of  temperance.  But  such  is  the 
fact,  and  1  will  not  flinch  from  my  duty.  I  only  depre- 
ciate my  inability  of  doing  justice  to  so  good  a  cause. 
Let  truth  be  our  motto,  and  righteousness  our  aim! 

'Let  your  moderation  be   known    unto  all  men,'  sars 
the  Apostle.     I  desio:a   in  this   discourse,  to   speak   of 


76  A   SERMON. 

evils  that  do  exist  in  community.  And  as  we  are  com* 
manded  to  let  our  moderation  be  known,  let  us  inquire 
into  the  definition  of  ibat  term. 

'Moderation,'  says  Doct.  Buck,  in  his  Theologicar 
Dictionary,  '  is  the  slate  of  keeping  a  due  mean  be- 
tween extremes:  calmness,  Temperance,  or  equanimi- 
ty. It  is  sometimes  used  with  reference  to  our  opin- 
ions.' St.  Paul  says,  'for  I  say  through  he  grace  of 
God  given  unto  me,  to  every  man  that  is  among  you, 
not  to  think  of  himself  more  highly  than  he  ought  to 
think,  but  to  think  soberly,  according  as  God  hath  dealt 
to  eery  man  the  measures  of  faith.'  Rom,  xii.  3.  *la 
general  it  respects  our  conduct  in  that  state  which 
comes  under  the  description  of  ease  or  prosperity;  and 
ought  to  take  place  in  our  wishes,  pursuits,  expecta- 
tions, pleasures  and  passions.' 

As  moderation  signifies  temperance,  I  would  call 
your  attention  to  a  few  particulars  in  which  we  should 
be  temperate.     And 

1st,  in  drink.  I  would  have  you,  beloved  friends, 
temperate  in  drink,  from  the  strongest  stimulant  manu- 
factured, down  to  the  purest  cold  water  that  can  be 
obtained.  I  say  1  would  have  you  temperate  in  drink. 
IVow  what  do  1  mean  by  this?  You  all,  I  trust,  know 
the  meaning  of  the  word  temperance.  If  you  do  not, 
when  you  go  home,  look  in  your  Dictionaries.  Mil- 
ton's views  on  this  subject,  are  expressive  of  my 
opinion. — 
"  There  is,  said  Michael,  if  thou  vrell  observe. 
The  rule  of  not  too  much  by  temperance  taught. 


A   SERMOX.  71 

la  what  thoa  eatest  and  drinkest,  seeking  from  thenc* 

Due  nourishment,  not  gluttonous  delight. 

Till  many  years  over  thy  head  return; 

So  may'st  thou  live,  till  like  riper  fruit  thou  drop 

Into  thy  mother's  lap,  or  be  with  ease, 

Gathered,  not  harshly  plucked,  for  death  mature." 

Now  would  all  men  live  up  to  the  rule  of  temperance 
here  laid  down  hy  JMilton,  there  would  be  no  intemper- 
ance in  the  land.  Every  man  would  eat  and  drink  for 
*due  nourisliment,  not  gluttonous  delight.'  This  I 
think  will  not  be  denied  by  any  person.  Taking  it  for 
granted,!  would  ask,  wherein  consists  the  'damning 
sin.'  If  the  rule  in  itself  is  good,  and  all  men  would 
derive  bene6i  from  following  that  rule,  how  can  it  be  a 
sin  to  practice  its  requirements?  I  for  one  cannot  see 
the  propriety  of  saying  that  temperance  in  stimulating 
drinks  is  sinful,  if  it  be  urged  that  men  will  not  live 
up  toils  requirements,  and  therefore  the  rule  is  bad  on 
that  account,  I  would  argue  that  by  the  same  reason- 
ing, we  might  condemn  every  rule  and  precept  of  our 
Savior.  For  all  hi."  requirements  were  discarded  and 
set  at  nought.  Yet  all  will  acknowledge  his  rules 
were  good  in  themselves,  and  if  obeyed  would  bring  to 
the  soul  substantial  happiness.  If,  therefore,  it  be  ar- 
gued-that  the  rule  of  temperance  as  expressed  by  Mil- 
ton, is  bad,  because  men  will  not  live  up  to  it,  we  might 
with  as  much  propriety,  contend  that  Christ's  rules 
were  licentious,  because  the  Jews  would  not  em- 
brace  them!  Should  it  be  said  that  were  not  Temper- 
7* 


73  A    SEKMON. 

ance  in  drink  held  out  for  mankind  to  follow  there 
would  be  no  intemperance  in  our  world,  and  conse- 
quently, all  the  misery  attending  those  who  disobey 
and  violate  the  rules  would  be  spared,  we  might  say 
that  if  Christ  had  not  come  into  the  world  to  establish 
his  kingdom  of  truth  and  righteousness,  the  Jews  might 
have  been  spared  from  those  terrible  judgments  Heav- 
en sent  upon  them,  for  disobeying  his  commands. — 
Hence  if  a  rule  in  itself  is  good,  its  violation  does  not 
niillitate  against  its  goodness.  And  were  every  crea- 
ture in  the  universe  to  go  counter  to  its  requirements, 
it  would  not  lesson  its  value  one.  fraction.  We  may 
then  lay  it  down  as  a  well 'established  point,  that  tem- 
perance is  good,  and  worthy  of  our  particular  attention 
both  for  temporal  enjoyment  and  the  popular  action  of 
life. 

But  it  has  been  said  that  1  have  recommended  the 
rvery  day  use  of  stimulating  drinks  to  people  in  health. 
This  is  false.  1  challenge  the  world  to  produce  an  in- 
stance of  the  kind!  Will  those  who  hava  made  the 
statement,  take  back  the  assertion? 

I  would  have  every  living  soul  in  the  Universe,  live 
on  the  strict  rules  of  temperance.  But  I  do  not  under- 
stand by  this,  that  a  person  in  order  to  be  temperate, 
must  make  a  frequent  use  of  alcohol.  No!  A  man  can 
b»  temperate  by  taking  it  once  a  week  or  once  a  month, 
when  riecessity  requires.  It  is  a  very  wrong  opinion 
some  have,  that  if  a  per-son  is  going  to  live  uj»  to  the 
Bible  doctrine  of  temperance  in  drink,  a  man  must  have 


A    SERMOX.  70 

his  morning  dram,  his  eleven  o'clock,  four  o'clock,  and 
evening  libalion.  This  in  our  opinion  would  not  be  tem- 
perance, but  the  reverse,  for  it  is  morally  impossible 
for  a  man  to  use  stimulating  drinks  in  this  manner, 
without  impairing  his  health.  One  drop  more  than  the 
constitution  of  man  requires  would  be  intemperance.     ' 

From  what  has  been  published  against  my  views  of 
temperance,  the  reader  may  be  about  to  say,  that  I  now 
advocate  a  different  doctrine  from  that  laid  down  in  the 
Bramble;  for  it  is  there  contended,  in  the  illustration 
of  the  man's  going  to  Boston,  that^a  person  in  order  to 
be  temperate,  in  an  article,  must  use  it  well.  Sb  I  now 
contend.  But  1  have  not  said  that  a  man  mast  make 
an  every  day  use  of  that  article.  The  person  who  de- 
signed going  to  Boston,  would  have  journeyed  tempe- 
perately,  had  he  not  gone  more  than  one  rod  in  twenty- 
four  hours.  But  as  he  did  not  journey  at  all,  the  word 
temperance  would  not  apply  to  his  case.  In  that  sim- 
ilie,  1  merely  illustrated  the  principle  that  abstinence 
was  not  temperance;  and  I  have  yet  to  learn  that  ray 
views    were  wrong  on  the  subject. 

But  I  am  aware  that  my  views  of  temperance  are  not 
in  unison  with  the  popular  doctrine  of  total  abstinence, 
as  held  in  modern  times.  In  looking  over  the  minutes 
of  the  (Jniversalist  association,  held  in  New  Rowley, 
Mass.  a  short  time  since,  I  found  the  following  icise  re- 
solve: "  Resolved,  that  the  true  ground  of  temperance 
is  total  abstinence."  In  this  case,  the  apostle  ought  to 
have  said,  instead  of  *  Let  your  moderation  be  known,' 
&.C.    '  Lef  vonr   nhsiinetice    be   known,'  &,c.     It  is  a  la- 


80  A    SERMON. 

mentablo  fact,  ihat  many  people  in  our  day  are  willing 
to  swallow  down  the  most  monotonous  absurdities,  mere- 
ly because  they  are  recommended  by  the  literati.  We 
are  confident  that  if  our  brethren  can  digest  the  asser- 
tion, that  temperance  is  total  abstinence,  they  are  not  a 
whit  behind  those  mentioned  by  our  Saviour,  who  we 
are  Informed,  vvould'  "  strain  at  a  gnat,  and  swallow  a 
camel." 

Let  us  suppose  our  forefathers,  who  poured  out  their 
heart's  blood  at  the  battles  of  Yorktown,  Saratoga,  and 
Bunker  Hill,  had  gone  on  the  principle  of  temperance, 
as  held  by  the  clergy — in  resisting  the  invading  army 
of  Great  Britain,  who  came  to  burn  our  houses,  murder 
our  wives  and  children,  and  to  destroy  and  pillage  our 
cities;  where  now  would  be  the  happy  home  or  the  op- 
pressed and  the  free?  Could  we  exclaim  with  patriotic 
triumph,  here  is  the  land  of  liberty,  gained  by  the  labora 
of  Washington,  Jackson,  and  other  brave  heroes?  Alas! 
had  they  gone  on  that  principle,  monarchy  and  aristoc- 
racy, twin-sisters,  would  now  hold  peaceable  possession 
of  these  United  States,-  arid  the  black  flag  of  the  op- 
pressor would  even  now  wave  "  over  the  land  of  the 
free,  and  the  home  of  the  brave."  But  it  was 
their  temperate  zeal  and  discretion,  that  enabled  them 
to  overcome  their  enemies.  We  may  suppose  for 
instance,  that  when  the  British  made  a  charge  upon 
the  Americans  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  that  every 
man,  instead  of  struggling  for  life  and  liberty,  remained 
tftaUonary,  and  thus  carried  out  the   principle  of  total 


'H 

A    SERMON.  8-; 

abstinence.     But  then  we  readily  perceive  that  had  ou, 
brave   countrymen    acted   on  this  new  fangled  system 
we  now  should  not  be  able  to  boast  of  our  freedom  an 
independence!     Since,  therefore,  a  man  cannot  be  tern 
perate  in  any  thing,  from  which  he  entirely  abstains.  It; 
me  ask,  why  do  all  lecturers  on  abstinence  wish  to  makt"^ 
the    people  believe   that  they  are  engaged  in  the  caus^ 
of  temperance?     I    believe  I    can    prove    this    questin. 
without  much  difficulty.     The    word    temperance    is 
smoother  word  than    abstinence,   and   they   can   easil 
dupe  the  people,    and  make    them  believe   that  there  i' 
no  difference  between  them.    Temperance  is  abstinence 
who  says  so?     Why  the   Rev.  T.  W.  and  S.  C,    an 
they  being  great  man,  no  one  will  dispute  but  what  the  > 
know  all  about  the  matter.     This  is  the  way  one  half  (», 
mankind  reason.     They    pin  their    faith  on  the  sleevct 
of  others.    But  I  fear  not  to  declare  that  there  is  as  muc.l 
difference  between  temperance  and.  abstinence,  as  theri. 
is  between  light  and  darkness!  ' 

Let  us  now  endeavor  to  ascertain  whether  the  viers 
advocated  by  those  who  style  themselves  abstinence 
men,  are  compatible  »vith  temperance  as  laid  down  in 
the  Bible.  We  are  extremely  anxious  for  mankind  to 
live  up  to  the  precepts  laid  down  in  that  book,  but  we 
are  not  willing  for  men  to  profess  to  be  wise  above  what 
is  written.  On  this  ground  we  stand.  We  do  not 
wish  people  to  attempt  to  improve  on  that  book,  until 
they  live  up  to  its  requirements.  When  men  do  this,  God 
Mill  doubtless  give  them  a  new  revelation.     Paul    -" 


8«  ,        «  A    SERMON.  V 

to  the  Gallatians,  "  But  the  fruit  of  the  Spifit  is  love 
joy,  peace,  long  sufferi^ncr,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith, 
meekness,  temperance ,  against  such  iiiere  is  no  law." 
Was  not  Paul  mistaken  think  ye  beloved  hearers?  He 
says,  against  a  man  that  possesses  the  virtue  of  tempe- 
rance, there  is  no  law.  Our  modern  te.'ichers  contend 
that  the  temperate  man  is  worse  than  the  drunkard. 
One  ofthetvvo  must  be  in  the  vvrong.  Judge,  ye  can- 
did! Again — "As  Paul  reasoned  of  temperance  &c. 
Felix  trembled,"  Had  Paul  reasoned  of  abstinenco 
would  Foli.x  have  trembled?  I  think  not;  for  undoubt- 
edly, abstinence  would  have  suited  his  case  best.  He 
had  been  guilty  of  persecuting  the  christians,  and  war- 
ring against  the  religion  of  Jesus,  and  to  escape  all  just 
punishment  due  to  his  crimes,  was  no  doubt  more  desir- 
able than  lO  receive  a  jiist  recompense  of  reward.  I 
therefore  think  Paul  did  not  say  much  about  abstinence. 

tor  if  he  had  the  governor  would  not  have  trembled. 

*  *  *  »  *  *  •« 

We  now  pass  to  state  our  objections  to  the  entire  ab- 
olition of  all  stimulating  drinks — And 

1st:  We  object  to  total  abstinence  on  the  ground  that 
alcohol  has  done  good.  Yes,  stimulating  drinks,  have 
saved  the  lives  of  thousands,  where  nothing  else  could. 
And  as  they  were  sanctioned  by  the  God  of  Heaven, 
we  object  io  their  abolition.  If,  however,  it  can  be 
proved  that  the  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ,  or  his  Apostles, 
have  in  any  one  instance,  spoken  against  the  prudent, 
temperate  use  of  wine  or  strong  drink,  then  let  that  tea- 


A   SERMON.  83 

■timony  ba  produced,  and  we  will  abandon  the  ground 
we  have  taken.  If  any  law  has  been  recorded  by  those 
wise  servants  of  the  living  God,  then  show  us  that  law 
and  we  pledge  ourselves  to  cease  warring  against  the 
abolition  of  all  stinnulating  drinks.  But  until  this  can 
be  done,  we  shall  feel  justified  by  the  laws  of  God  and' 
man,  to  continue  firm  and  steadfast  in  the  course  w.e 
have  taken. 

2d:  We  object  to  total  abstinence  societies  on  the 
ground  that  they  cannot  be  supported  by  the  Bible. 
This  the  leaders  of  those  societies  acknowledge,. and 
consequently  we  object  to  them  on  that  very  principle. 
Every  sincere  believer  in  the  Christian  religion,  must 
be  willing  to  admit  that  the  Bible  is  a  perfect  rule  of 
right,  and  that  no  human  invention  can  be  devised,  ot  a 
superior  nature.  Hence  if  men  have  sought  out  rules 
which  cannot  be  sustained  by  the  Bible,  they  have,  in 
one  sense,  denied  the  power  and  effipacy  of  God's  Law. 
the  Bible  contains  rules  to  guide  us  in  putting  down 
drunkenness,  and  intemperance  of  every  species.  To 
thhw  that  book  aside,  and  favor  societies  on  human 
auth)rity,  instead  of  using  the  means  God  has  given  us, 
is  prfcjumptuous  in  the  extreme.  It  is  virtually  saying 
to  the  Deity,  "  your  rules,  and  your  laws  are  not  suffi- 
cient to^reform  mankind,  a«d  therefore  we,  lords  of  the 
earth  ha\e  devised  other  means  to  bring  about  that  ref- 
ormation Vhich  your  laws  were  not  capable  of  produc- 
ing; WE^iave  improved  upon  your  system  of  refor- 
mation, and^we  are  now  going  to  show  you  that  you 


ip  jl  sermon. 

did  not  devise  the  best  means  and  measures  to  reform 
mankind.'  I  appeal  to  the  christian,  if  this  is  not  the 
legitimate  conclusion,  from  the  course  these  disciples 
of  Abstinence  have  taken,  and  as  a  lover  of  pure  and 
undefiled  religion,  I  entreat  him  to  examine  well  this 
subject. 

3.  I  am  opposed  to  total  abstinence  societies  be- 
cause they  ruin  the  very  cause  they  wish  to  promote. 
And  this  is  done  by  the  intemperate  measures  that  are 
adopted.  To  show  the  course  that  is  usually  taken  let 
us  go  to  a  town  where  they  are  about  setting  up  a  so- 
ciety on  the  principle  of  entire  abstinence.  A  lecturer 
is  employed  to  discourse  on  the  sin  of  intemperance. — 
Men,  women  and  children  flock  together,  as  if  they 
never  heard  their  minister  reprobate  drunkenness  in  all 
their  lives.  The  lecturer  in  the  first  place  attacks  the 
drunkard;  describes  him  as  beating  bis  family  in  the 
most  cruel  manner.*  Holds  up  all  his  crimes,  and  ag- 
gravates all  his  faults,  and  caricatures  him  in  such  a 
.-nanner  that  the  Devils  themselves  would  be  ashame* 
)f  his  company.  The  consequence  of  which  is,  the  ii- 
icmperate  man  becomes  vexed,  mad,  and  disgus^d. 
That  very  lecture  causes  bira  to  seize  the  cup  wth  a 
f^igorous  grasp,  and  confirms  and  hardens  bin  ii  his 
iinful  habits.  He  is  told  to  beware  how  he  neddles 
ji'ith   the   liquid  damnation,  lest  he,   in   an   unguarded 

*  *  Mr.  Taylor,  the  Seamen's  preacher  of  Boston,  remarked,  a  short 
jme  since,  that  the  drunkard  had  been  represented  tventy  limes 
vorse  than  be  really  was  ! 


A  SERMOK.  96 

Moment,  fakes  fire  and  is  blown  to  the  four  winii  of 
Heaven.  Stories  are  told  about  A  B  and  C,  who  have 
tnken  6re,  and  had  their  insides  burnt  out,  as  clear  as 
vou  could  burn  out  your  chimneys  on  a  rainy  day. — 
That  the  drunkard  has  often  drank  whiskey  out  of  the 
ekull  bone  of  his  wife,  and  that  he  has  even  sold  the 
•bones  of  his  legs  to  purchase  rum.  "Sow  how  many 
do  you  imagine,  my  hearers,  this  kind  of  lecturing 
iwould  convert?  Just  as  many  as  it  has  converted,  not 
a  single  soul.  Next  comes  the  temperate  man  who 
drinks,  say  once  or  twice  a  week,  when  necessity  re- 
quires. He  is  attacked  in  (he  most  uncharitable  man- 
ner, and  is  e.xhorted  to  come  forward  and  join  a  total 
abstinence  pledge.  He  commences  reasoning  on  the 
subject.  But  is  told  to  throw  reason  to  the  devil,  as  all* 
<3runkard3  reason  precisely  the  same  way.  He  refuses 
ti>  sign,  urging  that  he  never  was  drunk  in  all  his  life, 
and  contends,  that  be  can  do  more  good  in  the  cause  of 
rational  temperance,  than  if  he  were  to  sign  a  pledge. 
He  is  then  told  in  plain  broad  terms,  that  he  is  worse 
than  the  drunkard  who  wallows  in  the  mud  and  mire 
of  our  streets.  Well,  what  is  the  consequence.'  Sure- 
ly if  the  man  has  any  feelings  of  honor,  and  possesses 
one  grain  of  common  sense,  he  will  take  it  as  an  insult, 
and  leave  them  to  wallow  in  their  own  corruption,— 
The  lecturer  not  satisfied,  goes  to  the  female  part  of 
h'\B  congregation,  and  with  his  head  under  their  bos- 
oets,  after  the  manner  of  the  celebrated  Jedediah  Bar- 
chtti,  importunes  them  to  throw  their  influence  into 
8 


a* 


A    SEHItfON'. 


the  sacred  and  holy  cause,  by  signing  a  total  aVstidT* 
ence  pledge.  He  then  goes  to  little  children,  who- 
know  no  more  about  an  abstinence  society  than  the 
creed  of  Mahonnet,  and  gains  their  consent  to  })av« 
their  names  enrolled  upon  the  list.  And  thus  doing 
the  most  sensible  part  of  community  are  completely  dis- 
gusted,  and  that  class  who  need  reformation,  are  hard- 
cnod  in  iniquity.  These  things  I  have  seen  and  I  do 
l<now  thai  the  very  course  taken  by  these  hot  headed 
zealots,  is  detrimental  to  the  cause  of  temperance.  As 
an  example  ef  the  recklessness  of  one  of  the  sreat  lead- 
eri  of  abstinence,  Col.  Stone,  in  his  life  of  Matthias, 
the  impostor,  has  the  following.  'This  dialogue  was 
given  me  by  a  highly  valued  clerical  friend,  and  which 
took  place  between  him  and  a  violent  temperance 
man.' 

"  Well,  Mr. ,  supposing  Jesus  Chris»t  came  on 

earth  again,  and  should  happen  into  a  prayer  meeting 
of  your  disciples,  and  as  be  entered,  the  whisper  should 
go  around  that  he  had  just  come  from  making  wine  for 
a  festive  occasion,  where  the  party  had  already  drunk 
pretty  well  before,  would  you  ask  him  to  make  a 
prayqr? 

"No,"  (striking  his  fist  on  the  table)  "that  I  would 
not!"  was  the  reply. 

.  Where  is  the  christian  who  does  not  shudder  at  the 
f hocking  impiety  of  this  pretended  follower  of  Christ? 
From  this  lesson  of  human  depravity,  you  see  to  what 
lengths  these  abstinence  people  go.     Ought  not  every 


i.    SERMON.  4^ 

lover  of  (emperance,  of  peace  and  good  order  to  set 
Jheir  faces  against  such  impious  proceedings?  I  hear 
you  say  yes!  see  then  that  you  do  your  duty, 

I  have  more  objections  to  the  measures  that  have 
been  adopted  to  suppress  intemperance,  but  have  not 
time  to  notice  them  at  present,  I  will  merely  add,  that 
if  the  friends  of  total  abstinence  should  succeed  in  driv- 
ing wine  and  strong  drink  from  our  country  by  petition- 
ing Congress,  as  one  extreme  follows  another,  another 
class  of  our  citizens  would  send  in  petitions  against  the 
use  of  meat;  for  according  to  the  Graham  system,  xaore 
lives  are  destroyed  by  eating  flesh,  than  by  drinking 
rum.  *  *  *  (So  reasoned  Col,  R.  M.  Johnson,  on 
the  Sunday  JMail  Bill.  •  If  we  stop  the  mail  on  Sunday 
for  the  Orthodox,  we  must  on  Saturday  for  the  Jews, 
&c.)  Hence,  if  Congress  should  pass  a  law  against 
dfink,  they  would  be  petitioned  to  pass  a  law  against 
meat,  and  as  tea  and  coffee  are  injurious,  and  otber  ar- 
ticles too  numerous  to  mention,  (i.  e.  to  some  individu- 
als,) petition  after  petition  would  be  sent  to  that  body 
a  gainst  their  use.  And  if  the  day  should  ever  arrive 
that  this  state  of  things  should  take  place,  theo  a  man 
seen  with  a  leg  of  mutton  under  his  arm,  would  be  ta- 
ken up  and  tried  by  Judge  Ly nch's  Law,  and  executed 
by  Judge  Lynch's  Authority.  *It  is  a  lamentabfe  cir- 
cumstance,' said  an  opposer  of  the  Grahamites,  the 
other  day.  'that  these  people,  after  getting  our  appe- 
tite's and  teeth  in   their  pockets,   are  not   content,  but 


4 
8.t  A    8ERM0.<r. 

want  our  judgment!'     This  remark  will    apply  equall/ 
as  well  to  the  disciple  of  abstinence  in  drink. 

But  we  are  infurtned  that  the  abstinence  people  do 
not  wish  to  abolish  all  stimulating  drinks  from  the  land; 
they  would  have  a  little  kept  in  the  Apothecary  shop, 
for  medicine. '  This  brings  to  my  mind  a  circumstance 
that  1  am  informed,  took  place  in  this  town.  I  do  not 
vouch  for  the  truth  of  the  story,  biU  have  no  doubt  but 
what  if  our  Physicians  should  carry  their  point  in  trana- 
fcrring  alcohol  from  the  store  to  their  own  premises,  but 
what  the  circumstance  I.  am  about  to  relate,  would 
soon  be  verified.  A  man  having  joined  an  abstinence 
pledge,  went  to  a  physician  who  belonged  to  the  same 
foctetv,  and  asked  for  a  glass  of  alcohol.  His  disease 
was  such,  that  he  was  confident  strong  drink  would 
help  him,  as  he  had  previously  been  troubled  witii  the 
same  complaint,  and  tho  same  prescription  had  cured 
him.  The  man  had  conscientious  scruples  about  going 
to  the  store  after  his  medicine,  for  he  thought  it  would 
set  a  bad  example.  The  Physician  gave  htm  a  glass  of 
alcohol,  and  the  patient  was  soon  relieved  of  his  di»- 
'tress;  but  when  he  came  to  inquire  the  price  of  the 
strong  drink  he  had  taken,  you  may  judge  of  his  aston- 
ishment, when  he  was  informed  that  it  was  only  tu'sn- 
TT  FIVE  CENTS  !  !  !  So  much  for  retailing  ardent  spir- 
its in  the  apothecary  shops,  and  so  much  for  the  specu- 
at  ion! 

I    for  one    would    as  iief  the    tavern    keeper  or  the 
store  keeper  should  make  the  profit  on  those  medicineiy 


jl  sermo:t. 


as  the  physician,  and  I  do  not  believe  they  woald  shave 
their  patients  half  so  bad.  This  placing  intoxicating 
drinks  into  the  apothecary  shop,  and  allowing  the  pr(7» 
fessed  disciples  of  abstinence  to  purchase  whenever 
they  are  sick,  will  not  in  my  opinion,  be  productive  of 
accelerating  the  temperance  reform. 

Having  noticed  some  of  the  intemperate  measures 
that  have  been  adopted  to  suppress  drunkenness,  and 
iheir  bad  tendency,  we  would  now  leave  this  part  of 
our  subject,  and  remind  the  hearer  that  although  we 
are  opposed  to  abstinence  societies,  and  all  other  soci- 
eties  for  the  suppression  of  any  particular  vice  or  im- 
morality, yet  we  are  not  opposed  to  the  object  designed 
to  be  efliscted  by  those  societies.  No.  The  object  we 
honestly  believe  to  be  good;  but  we  are  confident  thtt 
measures  that  have  been  adopted  are  bad.  For  a  num- 
ber of  years  past  the  advocates  of  abstinence  have  ex- 
erted all  their  influence  against  wine  and  strong  drink. 
Had  they  followed  the  rules  laid  down  by  the  benevo- 
lent Author  of  our  religion,  there  would  have  been  no 
opposition.  AH  would  have  felt  it  their  duty  to  have 
thrown  in  their  influence  against  intemperance  and 
joined  in  the  general  reformation.  But,  when  some  fe^" 
individuals  waxed  over-righteous  on  the  subject,  and 
declared  eternal  hostility  against  the  man  who  should 
dare  to  drink  a  drop  except  ordered  by  a  physician,  a. 
division  took  place,  and  I  verily  believe  it  will  exist 
until  the  abstinence  party  comes  back  to  the  original 
standard  of  temperance.     Not  another  step  caa  the  &b' 


00  A   SSRMaN.  !i 

ettncncc  leaders  go  on  this  subject.  This  is  verified  hj 
the  HclitiowiedjTtiient  of  the  Orthodox  managers  of  absti- 
ncDce,  to  the  Univorsalisls,  and  other  liberal  people.-— 
We  have  done,  said  they,  all  we  can  do.  If  vou,  by 
taking  hold  of  this  work,  can  revive  the  abslineuco 
cause,  you  shall  have  all  the  credit.  Money  was  of- 
fered, and  popularity  being  no  small  incentive  to  ac- 
tion, the  work  was  recommenced.  Had  these  liberal 
men  taken  the  bible  for  their  ground  work,  and  on  it 
hoisted  the  banner  of  temperance,  no  reasonable  being 
could  have  objected — but  instead  of  so  doing,  they  re- 
vived those  corrupt  measures  which  had  proved  so 
manifestly  injurious  to  the  cause  of  temperance  in  tho- 
hands  of  others,  and  like  their  predecessors,  abused 
every  one  that  would  not  subscribe  to  their  dogmas. — 
Erecting  tliese  standards  as  infallible  they  issued  their 
'Proclaniations,' and  commanded  all  to  full  down  and 
worship  the  idol,  abstinetice,  under  penalty  of  their  dis- 
pleasure, nnd  everlasting  ill  will.  Those  who  have 
refused  to  bow  the  knee,  have  been  vilified  and  slan- 
dered beyond  measure.  {l\xttliey,  even  they  have  gone 
the  length  of  their  chain,  and  their  craft  has  been 
wrecked  upon  the  muddy  shores  of  contention  and 
strife! 

Coercive  means  never  refortned  a  man  of  intemper- 
ate habitij.  This  fact  is  self  evident.  You  knock  a 
person  down  nnd  you  would  hardly  be  able  to  convince 
hitn  that  you  was  his  friend,  and  that  you  done  it  out  of 
pure  anTectiou.     He  would   be  apt  to  think  as  Father 


X  flBRHON.  91 

Murray  did,  when  they  stoned  hitn  in  Boston,  for  prea^ 
ciiing  Universalism.  Your  arguments,  said  he,  are 
weighty  and  solid,  but  not  very  canvincing.  Mild  mea- 
sures are  the  only  ones  liiat  can  have  any  good  tenden- 
cy in  reforniing  mankind.  The  person  who  has  rend- 
ered himself  miijerable  by  a  Binful  coorso  of  living,  must 
not  be  despised,  but  must  be  entreated  with  gentleness 
to  forsake  his  evil  ways;  we  should  go  to  him  in  tho 
spirit  of  brotherly  love,  and  evince  the  purity  of  our 
motives,  by  laying  belore  him  tlie  benefits  resulting 
from  a  temperate  and  well  ordered  life.  We  should 
bear  his  interest  upon  our  hearts,  and  manifest  a  friend- 
ly spirit  towards  him,  even  though  he  were  sunk  in  the 
lowest  pit  of  moral  degradation.  Were  we  to  treat  tho 
intemperate  man  in  this  gentle  manner  he  would  feel 
that  he  was  respocted,  aad  would  struggle  hard  against 
his  evil  propensities.  He  would  reciprocate  our  friend- 
ship and  strive  to  do  better.  Having  gained  his  confi- 
dence, by  mild  treatment  he  would  feel  in  duty  bound 
to  leave  off  his  intemperate  habits.  He  would  realize 
that  he  was  not  wholly  abandoned,  and  that  the  spirit 
of  humanity  yet  dwells  among  his  brethren.  But  alasf 
The  reverse  of  this  has  been  practised,  and  the  man  of 
intemperance  has  had  just  cause  of  complaint.  When- 
ever our  xcorlhy  disciples  o(  abstinence  have  seen  a  poor 
worn  out  traveller,  who  by  some  irresistible  circum- 
stance has  been  reduced  in  properly,  and  who  in  his 
distress  went  to  the  bottle  for  comfort,  they  have,  in- 
stead of  taking  him  by  the  hand,  and  assistirg   him  (o 


t 


92  A    SERMON. 


th«  necessaries  oflife,  bid  him  in  tones  of  thuadar,  to 
be  gone,  and  not  appear  again  to  distutb  their  quiet- 
Bess  and  ease.  And  adding  insult  to  misery,  they  iiave 
hardened  the  heart  that  might  by  gentleness  and  love 
have  been  saved  from  ruin!  Let  there  be  a  reformation 
among  those  who  set  themse}ves  up  as  public  examples, 
before  they  attempt  to  reform  mankind.  Let  them  leara 
that  the  fruit  of  the  spirit  of  the  christian  religion  is. 
^LovTd,  joy,  peace,  long  suffering,  gentleness,  goodness, 
faith,  meekness  and  temperance.' 

2.  In  eating.  It  has  been  said  that  there  is  mor« 
misery  ajid  sickness  occasioned  by  eating,  in  our  coun- 
try, than  by  drinking.  This  we  do  not  know,  and 
therefore,  we  lihall  not  take  it  for  granted.  But  we  are 
confident  there  is  too  much  intemperance  in  eating 
among  men.  We  often  find  individuals  who,  by  over- 
eating, bring  upon  themselves  a  numerous  train  of 
bodily  diseases:  the  gout,  and  dyspepsia,  are  some  of 
the  effects  of  intemperance  in  food.  We  think  there  is 
but  little  difference  between  the  man  who  eats  too 
much,  and  he  who  drinks  too  much;  both  are  evils, 
and  should  be  avoided.  "  The  drunkard  and  the  glut- 
too,"  says  the  wise  man,  "  shall  come  to  poverty." 
Here  gluttony  is  ranked  with  drunkenness — and  very 
justly  too — for  it  produces  as  bad  consequences.  The 
man  who  eats  enough  at  one  meal  to  last  a  coinmoa 
man  a  week,  ought  most  certainly  to  be  placed  on  a 
level  with  the  drunkard.  For  like  the  miserable  being 
of  intemperance,  he  rushes  upon  indulgence,  and  vio- 
lates the  plainest  principles  of  moral  duty. 


A.    SCCKOX.  99 

Were  gluttony  to  produce  the  same  conscquencrfl 
thai  drunkenne.-j3  doe^,  ue  t^hmild  find  many  a  privileged 
lord  placed  in  an  uncRviable  Riluation;  many  an  indi- 
vidual who  now  wears  the  clerical  robe,  in  as  bad  a 
plif^ht  as  the  drunkard,  wallowing  in  the  filth  and  mir« 
of  corruption;  and  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  some  of 
those  who  prate  so  much  about  intetnperauce  in  others, 
eliould  be  found  in  a  very  loio  condition. 

I  must  here  bo  allowed  to  relate  a  circumstanco 
which  1  am  informed  took  place  in  Mew  Hampshire. 
An  individual  celebrated  for  his  eating  propensity,  had 
labored  very  hard  at  dinner  in  removing  th-j  deposites 
from  the  table.  Having  (inished  the  repast,  he  inform- 
ed the  good  lady  of  the  house,  that  he  must  have  labored 
very  hard  in  the  morning  in  preaching,  as  he  had  wet 
bis  shirt.     The  lady,  not  wishing  to  have  the  real  causa 

kept  in  the  dark,  remdtked,  '*  no  Mr.  ,  you  did  not 

wet  your  shirt  preaching,   but  you    done  it  eating  your 
dinner!  !  "     Who  takes? 

Cornero,  »  nobleman  of  Venice,  remarks,  "  My 
constitution  was  naturally  weak  and  delicate,  which 
ought  in  reason  to  have  made  me  more  regular  and 
prudent;  but  living  like  most  young  men,  too  fond  of 
nhat  is  usually  called  '  good  eating,'  I  gave  tii«  rein 
to  my  appetite.  In  a  little  liino  I  began  to  feel  the  ill 
effects  of  such  intemperance;  for  I  had  scarcely  aitajn- 
ed  my  thirty-fifth  year,  before  I  was  attacked  with  a 
Complication  of  diseases,  Stc."  AH  that  saved  his  life, 
he  informs  us,  waa  an  immediate  ad/,)tioQ  of  a  regular 


94  A    SERMON. 

an']  temperate  mode  of  living.  IIow  many  there  are  in 
our  land  laboring  under  tlie  same  species  of  intempe- 
rance; and  liovv  soon  they  might  improve  their  heallii 
by  adopting  the  course  of  ibis  nobleman.  Let  all  whi) 
are  troubled  with  an  excessive  appetite  beware  of  in- 
dulgence ! 

'•  Would  all  men."  says  a  writer,  ''  but  live  tempe- 
rately in  eating,  there  would  not  be  a  tenth  part  of  that 
sickness  which  now  makes  so  many  melancholy  fami- 
lies, nor  any  occasion  for  a  tenth  part  of  those  nauseous 
medicines,  which  they  are  now  obliged  to  swallow  in 
order  to  carry  off  those  bad  humors  with  which  they 
have  filled  their  bodies  by  excessive  eating."  Let  us 
reojember  the  word  of  the  Apostle:  "  Every  man  that 
striveth  for  the  ijiasiery,  is  temperate  in  all  things;" 
"  therefore,  says  he,  I  keep  under  ray  body,  and  bring 
it  into  subjection."  And  our  Saviour  says,  "  Take 
heed,  lest  at  any  time  your  hearts  be  overcharged  with/ 
.surfeiting  and  drunkenness."  Let  us  then  use  the 
bounties  of  Providence  with  thankfulness,  and  use  them 
as  freely  as  is  proper.  But  let  us  be  careful  how  wo> 
iibuse  any  of  the  choice  gifts  of  Heaven,  for  the  least 
degree  of  intemperance  is  sinful,  and  will  bring  upon 
us  tribulations  and  anguish. 

3:     In  anger.     "Anger,  says  Dr.  Buck,  is  a  violont 
passion  of  the  mind,  arising  upon  the  supposed  receipt 
of  any  injury,  with  a  present  purpose  of  revenge.     All 
anger  is  by  no   means  sinful;  it   was  designed   by  the  » 
Author  of  our  religion,  for  self  defence.     Wor  is  it  alto- 


A    SERMOX.  $5 

gclher  a  selfish  jiassion,  since  it  is  excited  by  injuries 
offered  to  others,  as  well  as  ourselves,  and  sometimes 
prompts  us  to  reclaim  offenders  from  sin  and  danger." 
The  Apostle  Paul  says,  "  Be  ye  angry  and  sin  not." 
On  this  passage  Doddridge  remarks:  "If  any  occa- 
sion arises  which  prompts  you  to  be  angry,  which  indeed 
may,  and  often  will  be  the  case,  let  not  your  an<Ter  dis- 
compose your  spirits,  e7id  $tn  not  in  the  excesstfe  indul- 
gence of  that  turbulent  and  dangerous  passion."  By 
this  we  perceive  that  anger  is  not  sinful  if  employed  for 
self  defence,  and  is  not  carried  beyond  the  bounds  of 
temperance.  But  it  becomes  sinful  when  it  breaks 
forth  into  outrageous  actions,  disgracing  humanity,  and 
violating  all  social  order.  We  therefore  should  be  very 
careful  and  not  give  way  to  our  passions,  should  there 
be  those  among  us  who  offend.  It  shows  a  weak  mind 
in  any  one  to  get  vexed  on  trivial  occasions.  To  get 
angry  intemperately  one  moment,  and  extra  good  the 
next,  shows  how  foolish  a  person  can  be.  The  Pro- 
phet declares,  "  There  be  some  who  are  drunken,  not 
with  wine,  lliey  stagger  not  with  strong  drink."  Every, 
person  who  lets  his  angry  passions  get  the  better  of  his 
judgment,  will  come  under  this  head.  Like  Satan  he 
goes  about  seeking  whom  he  may  devour  ! 

There  are  many  in  this  day  and  generatioR,  who  are 
troubled  by  this  species  of  intempertnce,  because — 
what?  Because  I  had  the  independence  to  give  to  the 
world  my  views  of  temperance.  Yes,  there  are  some 
in  this  town*  who,  not  having  been  promoted  as  highly 

*  hx  Wobarn. 


dd  A   SZRtAbn. 

•s  their  aspiring  hearts  desired,  have  (because  I  told 
truth  about  them)  gnashed  their  teeth  at  rae,  as  though 
they  would  like  to  bite.  IJeing  intoxicated  with  passion 
they  have  resorted  to  the  low,  pitiable  means  of  slander 
and  misrepresentation.  We  have  noted  their  conduct, 
and  have  come  to  this  conclusion:  They  have  no  just 
cause  to  complain-^especially  of  those  whose  motive* 
in  exposing  their  sinfulness,  was  to  do  them  good.  The/ 
are  their  worst  enemies.;  .and  I  pray  God  to  soften  their 
hearts,  and  make  them  better  men.  Let  us  Umo  in  tha 
Janguage  of  the  Poet, 

••  When'er  the  angry  passions  rise 
And  tempt  onr  thoughts,  our  tongues  to  atrifa; 
To  Jesus  let  us  lift  our  e^'es,  , 

Bright  pattern  of  the  Christian  life." 

4.  In  dress.  And  in  this  paFticular  T  shall  mnkia  no 
distinction  betvveen  the  ladies  and  gentlemen.  One  is 
as  highly  culpable  as  the  other. 

That  we  should  furnish  ourselves  with  warm,  decent 
clothing,  to  shield  our  bodies  from -the  cold  inclemen- 
cies of  the  weather,  is  not  only  our  duty,  but  an  express 
command.  But  to  worship,  summer  and  winter,  the 
■*  goddess'  of  fashion — 'to  have  a  desire  for  every  new 
invention  of  dress,  manufactured  by  man;  to  layout 
ooe's  whole  earnings,  -in  order  to  cut  what  is  called  a 
dash'in  the  world,  are  of  the  hishest  species  of  intempe- 
rance. Afijd  then  to  have  a  disposition  to  covet  every 
ftiperior  article  of  clothing  that  time  brings  into  fashion, 
«nd  to  show  dissatisfactioa  if  we  dont  obtain  what  our 


A   SERMON.  97 

fancy  desires,  is  down-right  wickedness,  '  Fadiion,' 
says  a  sensible  writer,  'is  all  but  omnipotent.  It  will 
make  men  do  all  that  men  can  do.  It  will^make  them 
submit  to,  and  even  approve  of  what  they  would  abhor; 
were  it  not  fashionable.  That  pert  dandy  done  up  iu 
stays,  sporting  with  his  cane  and  whiskers,  brainless 
and  sclBsh  as  he  is,  might  have  some  semblance  to  a 
human  being,  were  it  not  for  his  ambition  to  be  fore- 
most among  the  devotees  at  the  shrine  of  fashion.'  It 
is  a  well  attested  fact,  that  there  are  thousands  in  our 
land,  who  are  even  now  pining  away  under  that  fatal 
disease,  consumption;  and  who  can  trace  the  cause  to 
some  impropriety  of  dress.  Beware  then  my  friends, 
and  not  become  intemperate  in  dress. 

5.  la  Language.  It  is  universally  considered  wick- 
ed to  use  profane  language;  so  much  so,  that  the  man 
of'holy  fueling  is  shocked  and  mortified,  on  hearing  it 
proceed  from  the  lips  of  his  fellow  mortal.  And  cer- 
tainly, nothing  appears  more  disgusting  than  to  hear  an 
individual  breathe  out  oaths  and  curses  upon  his  brother 
man.  To  indulge  in  so  low,  vile  and  foolish  a  prac- 
tice, is  highly  reprehensible  in  any  roan!  more  es- 
pecially in  those  who  would  be  considered  gentlemen. 
Some  may  have  imbibed  the  habit  of  swearing  and  do 
not  mean  any  harm  by  it.  But  still,  no  man  should  be 
justified  in  it,  for  it  is  a  wicked  practice  and  can  easily 
be  overcome.  To  swear  tcell  has  bsea  considered 
quite  an  accession  to  a  person's  accomplishments.  But 
it  is  fast  going  out  of  date.  God  grant  it  a  speedy  ex- 
9 


OS        ,  A    lERMoy. 

it.     1  entreat  you  then  my  friends  in  the  lahguage  of 
scripture  to  'swear  not  at  all.' 

6.  In  Religion.  As  there  is  no  great  clanger,  es- 
pecially among  the  Universalists,  on  this  subject,  I 
need  say  but  a  few  words  in  this  place.  In  olden  times 
we  read  of  some  who  were  considered  neither  cold  nor 
hot.  But  the  revelation  expresses  a  desire  to  have 
them  become  either  one  or  the  other.  A  zealot  in  the 
christian  religion  will  shipwreck  his  cause  on  the  bois- 
terous ocean  of  fanaticism;  while  the  lukewarm  chris- 
tian will  allow  the  cause  of  God  and  humanity,  to  go  to 
ruin  without  a  struggle  or  an  effort  in  its  favor.  Tem- 
perance is  the  medium:  and  that  only,  can  promote  the 
cause  of  pure  and  undefiled  religion.  Christianity 
mild  and  gentle  as  its  Author,  needs  not  the  ravings  of 
the  fanatic  to  spread  her  doctrines  among  men,  neither 
the  stoical  indifference  of  the  lukewarm  to  recommend 
her^Jto  the  world.  But  temperance,  Hhe  slill  small  voiccy* 
operating  upon  the  affections  of  mankind,  and  warning 
the  heart  by  her  gentle  influence,  will  be  the  savior  of 
the  christian  religion.  Yes!  Temperance  (not  intem- 
perance nor  abstinence)  will  bear  the  ark  of  religious 
liberty  triumphantly  over  the  noisy  swell  of  pride  and 
popularity,  and  land  it  safely  on  the  shores  of  the  New 
Jerusalem. 

It  mnst  be  acknowledged  that  there  has  been  a  groat 
dear  of  intemperance,  in  days  gone  by,  in  urging  partic- 
ular doctrines  upon  the  people.  In  the  limes  of  reviv- 
als end  excitements,  no  meaaurei  could  be  too  violent 


A   SSRUON.  89^ 

for  the  leaders,  and  no  stone  was  lef\  unturned,  to  gain 
proselytes.  Suicide  has  been,  in  a  great  raanj  instan- 
ees,  the  consequence  of  their  rash  intemperate  meas- 
ures. Brethren,  be  not  intemperate  in  religion,  but 
'let  your  moderation  be  known  unto  all  men.' 

I  have  thus  noticed   some  of  the  most  important  par- 
ticulars laid  down  in  the  Bible,  in  which  wo  are  com- 
manded   to   be  temperate.     There   are   other   things, 
which  if  used  at  all,  should  be  temperately.     But  they 
ore  human  inventions,   and  not  authorised  by  the  word 
of  God.     I  read  nothing  in  the  Bible  about  men's  using 
'tobaccOf^  and  I  would    exhort  all  who   make  a  usa  of 
that  article,  either   chewing  or  smoking,  to  be  careful 
and  not  allow  it   to  impair  and  ruin  your  healths.     To 
besure,  a  man  at  times,   makes  a  bad   appearance  with 
the  article  cruising    around  his  lips;  but  then  if  it  does 
any  good,  I  surely  shall  have  no  objection  to  a  temper- 
ate use  of  it.     And  the  ladies  must  likewise  remember 
that  the  article  called  'snwjf,'  is  not  spoken  of  in  the  Bi- 
ble.    If  it  be  used  at  all,  let  it  be  done  temperately. — 
Many  I  know  have  spoken  against  its  use,  and  thoo>gb 
we  are  confident  an  intemperate  use  of  it  is  deleterious 
and  extremely    injurious  to  the  nervous   system,  yet 
we  are  not  prepared  to  sty  that  it  is  not  good  in  certain 
cases,  and  that   the  ladies  may  not  make  a  temperate 
use  of  it.     Let  your  moderation  be  known  in  its  use. 

Then  I  must  caution  you  against  an  excessive  use  of 
Tea  and  Coffee.  Physicians  inform  us  that  excessive 
nse  of  these  drinks  are  injurious  to  the  constitution. — 


HW  A   SERMON. 

An  intemperate  use  of  any  thing  is  deleterwus  and  sin- 
ful. But  it  would  be  impossible  to  take  away  from  some 
of  our  good  matrons  their  tea;  yes,  as  impossible  as  from 
some  men  their  whiskey.  I  would  not  say  that  every 
man,  woman  or  child  shall  entirely  abstain  from  those 
articles;  but  I  do  say,  you  must  use  them  moderatel/. 
'Do  thyself  no  harm.'  If  you  violate  the  command  of 
our  text,  the  shaking  head  and  trembling  limb  will  ap- 
pear, to  warn  you  of  your  imprudence, 

I  have  thus  endeavored  to  preach  temperance  as  the 
bible  enjoins.  I  dare  not  go  one  step  further,  if  1 
should,  I  fear  I  should  be  wiser  than  my  master. 

In  conclusion,  permit  me  to  exhort  you,  one  and  all 
to  strive  both  by  precept  and  example,  to  do  all  you 
can  to  further  the  cause  of  rational  temperance.  There 
are  doubtless  some  present  who  belong  to  the  total  ab- 
stinence society  in  this  town.  You  may  be  right  in 
joining, that  society — we  will  not  condemn  you — we 
give  you  the  privilege  of  thinking  on  the  subject  as  you 
please.  In  return,  we  only  ask  the  same  privilege. — 
Will  you  grant  it?  On  the  other  hand,  there  are,  I 
presume,  some  present  who  are  opposed  to  the  violent 
measures  of  the  abstinence  parly.  To  them  I  would 
say, be  not  backward  in  doing  all  in  your  power  to  arrest 
the  evil,  intemperance,  that  is  fast  spreading  in  our 
land.  I  know  that  you  are  men  of  feeling,  of  benevo- 
lence, of  philanthropy,  and  that  you  have  an  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  your  fellow  men.  How  is  your  con- 
duct?    Do  you  set  a  good  example?     Can  your  neigh- 


A  SERMON.  lOi 

bors  point  their  fingers  at  you,  and  say,  you  are  often 
seen  in  a  state  of  intoxication?  Pause  and  examine 
yourselves.  Remember  if  you  use  stimulating  drinks 
more  than  necessity  requires,  you  injure  yourselves, 
you  violate  the  laws  ot  God,  and  if  persisted  in,  you 
will  bring  upon  yourselves  misery,  disgrace  and  ru- 
in! Your  families  and  friends  must  likewise  suffer  by 
your  ingratitude,  destruction  will  open  wide  her  jaws  to 
receive  you,  and  black  despair  will  harrow  up  your  soul. 
O  then  be  entreated  to  lend  your  influence  in  arrest- 
ing the  sin,  intemperance,  that  is  deluging  our  land, 
and  ruining  the  fair  forms  of  innocence  and  virtue.  Be 
actively  engaged  in  ameliorating  the  condition  of  your 
fellow  creatures,  and  in  all  your  concerns  through  life, 
I.iet  your  moderation  be  known  unto  all  men.' — Amex. 


THE  REMARKS  OF  CERTAIN  EDITORS  O^ 
THE  BRAMBLE,  AND  A  BRIEF  REPLY. 


"  Shall  a  Trumpet  be  blown  in  the  city,  and  the  people  not  be 
afraid.'  "     Amos  iii.  6.  

THE  TRUMPET. 

The  Rev:  T.  VVliittemore  sounded  his  Trumpel,  that 
the  majority  of  the  people  in  t'  e  United  States  were  in 
favor  of  the  violent  measures  of  the  total  abstinence 
party.  But  his  trumpet  gave  an  uncertain  sound. — 
Since  publishing  the  Brauible,  I  have  lectured  in  a  num- 
ber of  places  on  temperance,  and  do  know  that  two 
thirds  of  the  Universalist  comnjunity,  even  in  good  old 
Massachusetts,  are  in  favor,;  of  my  sentiments  on  the 
subject.  The  people  know  their  rights,  and  knowing 
*  dare  maintain  them.'  Mr.  Whittemore  says,  "  It  will 
be  an  unenviable  notoriety  which  he  (Gregory)  will 
acquire.''  The  notoriety  which  I  shall  acquire  by  ad- 
vocating the  truth,  will  be  far  preferable  to  the  popular- 
ity which  Mr.  Whittemore  will  gain  by  advocating  false- 
hood. I  challenge  Mr.  Whittemore  to  show  that  I  have 
gone  counter  to  the  doctrine  of  temperance,  as  laid  dowa 
in  the  Bible.     He  dare  not  undertake  the  work  ! 


THE  STAR  IN  THE  EAST. 

We  are  commanded  to  deal  out  to  each  a  portion  in 
due  season,  and  as  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Adams  has  seen  fit 
to  notice  our  Bramble,  we   would  in   return  notice  the 


THE    LADIES    REPOSITORY.  103 

manner  in  which  he  treated  it.  Well,  ivliat  says  the 
'echo,'  from  the  'granite  state?'  "Hear  0  Heavens,  and 
be  astonished,  O  Earth."  "  VVe  have  not  seen  it  ('he 
Bramble)  neither  do  ue  wish  to  see  it."  And  did  this 
liberal  speech  come  from  a  Universalist  minister?  Yes, 
a  Universalist  minister!  a  man  of  professed  liberal  sen- 
timents. "  We  have  not  seen  it,  neither  do  we  wish  to 
see  it."  What!  is  Mr.*  Adams  afraid  that  the  Brarnb'Io 
will  scratcii  up  his  total  .abstinence  measures,  that  he 
does  not  wish  to  see  it  ?  Surely  this  editor  has  departed 
from  the  principles  by  which  he  has  professed  to  be 
governed.  It  is  virtually  saying,  "  We  understand  Mr. 
Gregory  has  published  a  work  against  our  infempeiate 
measures,  and  has  shown  that  temperance  is  a  Bible 
doctrine;  but  we  have  not  seen  it,  neither  do  we  wish 
to  see  it,  for  it  may  overthrow  our  specu  lation,  and  then 
we  should  not  gain  that  popularity,  nor  those  uppertnost 
seats  to  which  we  aspire." 

I  hope  the  Bramble   will  do  him  good,  together  wilb 
all  others  who  are  troubled  with  (he  same  comolaint. 


THE  LADIES  REPOSITORY. 

The  Rev.  H.  Bacon,  instead  of  making  his  paper  a 
repository  of  truth  and  righteousnes:*,  has  converted  it 
into  a  vehicle  of  abuse,  and  misrepresentation.  Having 
beent^levoted  in  the  world,  and  taken  the  editorial  chair, 
lie  vrould  fain  make  the  readers  of  his  paper  believe  that 


104  THE   008FEL   SUN. 

he  is  a  dreadful  great  man.  Hear  him:  "  In  the  work 
of  criticism  our  motto  has  ever  been,  (hear  that)  willing 
to  praise,  but  not  afraid  to  blame,"  (abuse  he  meant.) 
Again:  "Amongst  the  lecturers  who  have  labored  in 
the  vicinity  of  Woburn,  are  Rev.  Thomas  Whitteroore, 
Rev.  Sylvanus  Cobb,  Rev.  Mr.  Young,  and — who  else? 
OUR  MOST  HUMBLE  sei.f!"  "  Our  itiost  humblc  sc/^;"  ha, 
ha — this  reminds  us  of  the  fly  that  lit  upon  the  hub  of 
a  coach  wheel,  and  flapping  its  wings,  exclaimed,  "  See 
what  a  dust  we  kick  up!"  So  much  for  the  editor  of  the 
Ladies  Repository. 

THE  GOSPEL  BUN. 

The  Rev.  O.  A.  Skinner  says,  the  views  of  Mr. 
Gregory  on  temperance,  will  not  find  favor  with  his 
ministering  brethren.  I  would  inform  Mr.  Skinner 
that  my  object  has  ever  been  to  please  my  lay  brethren; 
to  watch  over  their  interest,  instead  of  the  interests  of 
the  clergy.  I  have  done  this  independently,  and  rua 
the  risk  of  incuring  their  displeasure.  Be  it  knowD 
■  nto  all  men  that  1  preach  to  please  ^he  people.  And 
as  long  as  I  am  confident  my  views  of  temperance  are 
in  accordance  with  the  Bible,  the  threatnings  of  the 
priesthood  shall  not  make  me  flinch  from  my  duty.  But 
I  would  inform  Mr.  Skinner  that  there  are  more  than 
one  in  Israel,  whose  sentiments  on  temperance  are  ia 
onison  with  mine.  Had  he  beard  a  celebrated  divine, 
vhose  fame  for  Biblical  knowledge  has  gone  forth  int» 


SOUTIIERX    EVAKGELIST.  1(K^. 

aH  the  land,  and  to  whom  the  public  is  indebted  for  two 
able  '  Inquiries,'  lecture  Mr.  Whittemore  for  calling 
Daniel  a  cold  water  man^  and  for  inisrepresentintj  my 
sentiments,  he  would  have.thou^ht  that  I  hadone  friend 
if  no  more:  I^et  the  Universaliat  clerj^y  come  out  and 
taiie  a  stand  on  this  subject,  and  I  will  venture  to  Fay, 
there  would  not  be  fifty  in  the  order,  but  what  would  be  ■ 
in  favor  of  my  senlitnents. 

Our  Glethodist,  Orthodox,  and  political  papers  have 
given  us  a  passing  notice,  but  we  shall  not  attempt  la 
reform  them  until  we  have  reformed  our  own  order. 


The  reader  may  wish  to  know  if  any  papers  have 
spoken  in  favor  of  the  Bramble.  We  extract  the  fol- 
lowing from  the  Southern  Evavgeltst,  published  at 
Charleston,  S.  C,  and  edited  by  the  Rev.  Theopkilvs 
FisK.  The  remarks  are  from  that  well  known  talented 
brother  : — 

"  Tfie  JinvMBLK."  "  We  have  received  a  copy  of 
this  well  written  production  from  some  unknown  friend, 4ji(- 
perhaps  the  author  himself;  our  hearty  thanks  are  duo 
to  the  donor,  whoever  he  rna'<'  be.  It  is  .a  most  able 
expose  of  the  craft  and  spiritual  hypocrisy  that  is  over- 
flowing  the  land  under  the  puise  of  temperance  societies; 
the  author  a  young  Universalist  minister  of  sterling 
worth,  manly  independence,  and  great  promise  of  use- 
fulness. We  have  read  the  production  with  more  care 
and  attention  than  we  should  probably  otlierwit^c  have 
done,  but    for  the   unspairing,  and    unjustifiable  abuse 


lOS  REMARKS    or    TBB 

which  has  been  hoaped  upon  the  author  by  the  editor  of 
the  Boston  Trumpet  and  his  echo.     Mr.  VVhittemore  in 
bis  first  notice   (for  he  has  seen  fit  to  make  too  attacks 
upon  the  pamphlet,  or  rather  upon  its  author)   speaka 
of  Br.  Gregory's  sentiments  as  '*  far  below  the  standard 
of  the   age" — and  again  he  says: — "We  are  truly  sick 
with  the  bombastic  style  of  the  pamphlet."     Is  there  no 
intemperance  in  this  language,  from  one  ministering  bro- 
ther to  another,  that   needs   to  be    rebuked.''     For  our 
own  part  we  are  not  the  advocates   of  intemperance  of 
any  kind — much   less   than   all   the    intemperate   zeal 
which  is  here  manifested,  to  cover  a  ministering  brother 
with   odium  for   a  manly  expression  of  opinion,  we  are 
not  in  favor  of  the    intemperance  which  could    procure 
the  suspension  from  fellowship,  of  a  minister  second  lo 
none  in  our  denomination  in   any  point   of  view,  for  the 
enormous    offence   of  storing   ten  dollars   for  three  or 
four  months!     We  are  not  in  favor  of  that  intemperance 
which    can  resort  to  the   pitiful    expedient   of  invading 
the  sanctity  of  the  domestic    circle,  to   seek   proofs  Of 
some  act  of  indiscretion  in  the  unguarded    moments  of 
affection  i      Nor  of  that  species    of    "  iw^wiri/"    which 
floods  the  country  with  letters,  for  the  purpose  of  gath- 
ering vague  rumors,  hearsays, and  flying  reports!     From; 
such  Intemperance  we  say  in  behalf  of  the    Universalist 
denomination,  "  Good  Lord  deliver  us," 

But  we  have  good  reason  t©  believe  that  the  pamph- 
let under  consideration  was  not  the  cause  of  the  bitter- 


SOUTHERN    EVANGELIST.  107 

ness  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Whiltemore  towards  Br. 
Gregory.  Br.  Gregory  is  from  "  the  land  of  th« 
free" — from  the  bosom  of  the  Green  Mountains;  where 
the  mind  wears  no  shackles,  and  where  Universalist 
priestcraft  is  entirely  unknown.  We  noticed  with  plea- 
sure and  pride,  during  a  stay  in  Boston  of  some  twelve 
or  fifteen  months,  many  manifestations  of  his  sterling 
honesty,  and  unbending  integrity;  particularly  when- 
ever he  visited  the  Trumpet  "  rfmec/t/io-  room."  He 
had  the  independence  when  he  heard  the  character  of 
an  absent  ministering^brother  there  undergoing  an  ope- 
ration, (and  this  was  but  of  too  frequent  occurrence)  to 
stand  op  boldly  in  his  defence,  if  he  thought  him  inno- 
cent of  the  surmises,  hints,  and  inuendo  es,  that  were 
indulged  in  so  profusely;  this  we  think,  is  the  head  and 
fountain  of  his  offending.  We  saw  the  storm  lowering 
upon  him  more  than  a  twelve  month  ago — more  than 
one  face  was  gathering  blackness  previous  to  our  leav- 
in  that  region,  and  we  mentioned  to  one  of  the  victims 
of  this  unhallowed  "  spirit  of /n^uii-i/,"  that  the  tempest 
would  burst  sooner  or  later — and  our  predictions  have 
been  verified.  The  thunder  has  rolled,  the  bolt  has  fal- 
len;  and  we  hope  some  of  the  brethren  feel  relieved,  , 
In  conclusion  wc  have  to  say  that  while  we  have 
strength  to  wield  a  pen,  we  will  espouse  the  cause  of 
the  injured  and  persecuted — we  have  suffered  too  deep- 
ly ourself  from  "  stabs  in  the  dark,"  not  to  have  a  fel- 
low feeling  for  those  who  are  stretched  upon  the  rack. 
£r.  Gregory  will  remember  the   injunction,  "  if  tbej 


108  '  BEMARKS    OP"    THE 

persecute  you  in  one  city  flee  into  another"— the  sunny 
South  will  welcome  him  with  open  arms,  if  the  climate 
at  the  North  becomes  too  warm." 


REMARKS  OF  THE  MAGAZINE  AND  ADVOCATE. 

Speaking  of  the  Hoe,  Br,  Grosh  remarks:  "  It  i« 
anonymous.  I  have  not  seen  it,  but  judging  from  some 
extracts  given  in  the  Trumpet,  it  appears  to  appeal  to 
prejudice  to  put  down  Br.  Gregory.  Some  of  our 
editors  also  appear  to  rely  upon  the  same  weapon. 
This  is  ungenerous,  to  say  the  least  of  it.  Prejudice, 
like  jealousy,  is  cruel  as  the  grave,  and  puts  down,  not 
the  arguments,  but  the  man.  Like  persecution,  it 
never  can  con\ince,  but  confirms  even  the  errorist  ia 
his  errors." 

Speaking  of  what  we  should  eat  and  drink,  he  adds — 
'' It  is  good  to  eat  meat,  and  to  drink  wine;  and  it  is 
good  to  eat  vegetables,  and  to  drink  water;  but  circum- 
stances should  deter.'nine  not  only  when  you  should  eat 
and  drink  either,  but  a\so  how  much.  Excess  in  either, 
is  wrong  and  injurious."  "  We  may,  or  may  not  dress, 
eat,  drink,  sleep,  walk,  sit,  stand,  as  they  did,  our  cir- 
cumstances being  the  same  as  theirs  were,  and  be  neither 
sinful  nor  virtuous  in  so  doing,  or  in  not  so  doing." 

The  same  writer  speaking  of  societies  formed  to  sup- 
press any  particular  vice,  remarks — "  Such  combina- 
tions are  not  only  unnecessary,  but  contrary  to  the 
principles  of,  and  injarious  in  a  republican  government. 


MAGAZINE    AND    ADVOCATE.  ^09 

They  supersede  the  laws  and  its  officers,  and  substitute 
the  abstract  views,  and  irresponsible  actions  of  combi- 
nations,, not  established  by,  nor  known  to  the  govern- 
ment of  the  whole  people.  They  are  virtually  raob- 
ocracy,  setting  aside  the  laws  of  their  rule,  and  super- 
seding the  proper  execution  of  the  law,  by  substl;uting 
the  unauthorised,  and  unacknowledged  actions  of  men. 
Let  the  people  govern  by  the  laws  they  make  through 
their  proper  representatives — and  let  those  laws  be  exe- 
cuted by  the  officers  of  the  people,  proper!/ "uhosen  and 
commissioned  to  enforce  them.  When  a  government 
of  the  people  fails,  it  will  be  time  to  erect  another  of 
organized  combinations,  to  govera  the  people." 

Again  he  says — "  Let  th^  laws  properly  provide  for 
the  punishment  of  offences  against  the  peace  and  digni- 
ty  of  the  Commonwe»»'th,  and  for  the  protection  and  as- 
8i?Unce  of  their  jvoseculing  officers — let  every  citizen 
report  such  oi^edces  to  the  police,  and  require  attention 
to  their  comi,»iaints — and  no  sociETiks,  or  other  mean 
will  be  ne-^essary  to  effect  the  complete  suppression  of 
intemperance,  seduction,  gambling,  profanity,  and  every 
othe?  vice  that  now  infests  society,  and  causes  the  land 
to  mourn  under  the  wreck  of  virtue,  and  the  ruin  of 
peace." 

Stephen  K.  Smith,  associate  editor  of  the  same  paper, 
exposes  so  clearly  the  intemperate  measures  of  the  ab- 
stinence party,  that  we  beg  the  privilege  of  laying  his 
lemarks  before  our  readers. 

^'  Among  the  measures  that  have  been  manifestly  in- 
10 


110  REMARKS  or  THE 

jurious  to  the  cause  of  temperance,  may  be  reckoned  all 
those  that  partake  of  fraud  or  coercion.  We  conceive 
that  every  measure  that  brands  another  with  reproach 
or  infamy  because  he  does  not  adopt  our  theory,  to  be 
coercive  Sf  reprehensible.  That  thousands  of  dissenters 
from  the  rage  of  temperance  measures  have  been  thus 
abused  cannot  be  denied. 

Art  is  sometimes  employed  to  draw  individuals  into 
stcieties.  As  an  instance,  the  name  of  some  influential 
person  is  obtained,  in  order  to  induce  others  to  unite — 
while  that  individual  retains  full  privilege  to  take  his 
wonted  dram  whenever  he  pleases.  Examples  of  this 
are  every  where  abundant. 

But  the  most  specious  instance  of  this  kind  of  craft, 
is  connected  with  the  (cmpcr/ince  ledures.  No  fact  is 
more  obvious  than  that  in  the  'commencement  of  the 
career  of  forming  societies,  it  waa  generally  intended 
to  make  them  sectarian.  This  was  acknowledged  by 
the  American  Temperance  Society — ant  was  as  palpa- 
ble in  its  auxiliaries.  A  particular  class  of  men  were 
the  prime  movers,  and  managers,  in  every  plb^e  where 
they  possessed  the  power  or  influence  to  lead. 

The  liberal  part  of  community,  seeing  the  manntr  in 
which  things  were  got  up  and  managed  in  the  societies, 
generally  stood  aloof,  and  were  often  grossly  abused  in 
consequence.  Many  of  this  class  of  men,  are  highly 
influential,  either  by  their  wealth,  their  public  station, 
or  their  moral  character;  and  it  was  extremely  desira- 
ble to  win  thera  over.    To  effect  this,  a  Universalist 


MAOAZINi  AKD  ADTOCATB.  Ill 

clergyman  is  selected  to  deliver  a  temperance  lecture, 
and  the  invitation  very  generally  originates  with  some 
member  of  the  society  who  is  distinguished  for  his  op- 
position to  the  doctrine  of  the  restitution.  The  plausi- 
bility of  such  a  measure  very  naturally  brings  together 
for  the  occasion,  a  large  proportion  of  liberal  men,  who 
when  warmed  by  the  address,  arethrown  offtheir  guard, 
and  thus  give  their  names  to  tho  society." 


5«  i»(||  ft  -I,,  >..»•*« 


« 


.« 


R  E  C  0  ]M  M  E  N  D  A  T  1  O  N  . 

"  This  certifies  that  the  Rev.  John  Gregory  has  been 
enaployed  as  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel,  by  the  First 
^niversalist  Society  in  the  town  of  Woburn,  Mass.,  for 
one  year  and  a  half;  and  that  he  is  universally  liked, 
both  as  a  preacher,  and  a  man,  and  that  we  are  well 
satisfied  with  his  labors.  The  society  under  his  judi- 
cious management,  is,  we  are  confident,  in  a  better  con- 
dition than  it  was  previous  to  his  settling  among  us. 
The  meetings  have  been  well  attended,  and  he  has 
preached  to  our  general  satisfaction.  His  letter,  ask- 
ing a  dismission  from  our  society,  we  have  received 
with  regret,  and  hope  that  we  can  prevail  upon  him  to 
stay  with  us  longer.  His  moral  character  we  believe 
to  be  good,  even  above  suspicion,  and  we  are  willing  to 
recommend  bim  as  a  faithful  preacher  of  the  Gospel, 
t6  such  Society  as  God  in  his  Providence  shall  call  him.". 

WILLIAM  RICHARDSOxV,  )    o,     ,. 
MOSES  WINN,  .  (    Stand^ng 

LUKE  REED,      '  )        Lommutu. 

^J^  Signed  by  One  Hundred  and  Five  individuals 
who  have  contributed  to  my  support  the  last  year. 

The  object  of  my  publishing  the  above  recommenda- 
tion, is  to  silence  the  slanderous  stories  in  circulation 
against  me.  Not  that  those  stories  can  injure  me  in 
tbe  estimation  of  those  with  whom  I  am  acquainted,  but 
that  those  unacquainted  with  me  can  see  my  standing 
IB  Woburn,  where  I  have  resided  nearly  two  year*?. 


CERTIFICATE. 


"  This  certifies  that  we 
published  by  John  Gregory, 
menta  therein  contained" — 

Joshua  Converse, 

Samuel  Cook, 

Luke  Tidd, 

Abel  Wyraan, 

Martin  Converse, 

Aaron  Richardson, 

John  jMadan, 

Stephen  Eames, 

William  TidJ, 

John  Flanders, 

Nathan  Richardson  2d, 

David  Weston, 

Samuel  Richardson, 

Oliver  Wade, 

Joshua  Stoddard, 

Lot  Eaton, 

John  Miller, 

Ebenezer  Parker, 

Thomas  Collins, 

Guy  Knights, 
,  George  Pool, 


have   read  the   '  Bramble,' 
and  do  concur  in  the  senti" 

William  Flanders, 
Henry  Flagg, 
Stephen  Nichols, 
Luther  Converse, 
Moses  F.  Winn, 
Josiah  Converse, 
John  Leathe, 
Jacob  Wright, 
Albert  Thompson, 
Harrison  Flanders. 
John  Sowle,jr. 
Jesse  Sowle, 
Henry  Tidd, 
Nathan  Wyman, 
Jonathan  Tidd, 
Jonathan  Tidd  2d, 
Ezra  Kendall, 
John  Knights, 
Thoatias  Pool, 
Thomas  Pool,  jr. 
Stephen  Nichols,  jr. 


114 


CERTIflCAtE. 


Samuel  Thompson,  Simeon  WeymoutFr, 

Franklia  Jone^  George  Hartshorn, 

Sylvester  Nichols,  Charles  Bond, 

Christopher  Hosmer,  Joseph  S.  Phillips, 

George  Powell,  Leonard  Parks,  2(1, 

John  Phelps,'  Francis  F.  Kimball. 
Joseph  Eaton, 

The  above  are  a  few  out  of  the  many  in  Woburn,  in 
favor  of  my  views  of  temperance.  I  have  no  doiibt  but 
what  I  could  have  obtained  more  than  one  half  of  the 
persons  ia  the  town  to  have  subscribed  to  the  above 
certificate.  That  the  majority  of  the  people  in  Woburn 
are  what  I  call  temperance  men,  is  credent  from  their 
gaining  the  victory  over  their  opponents  at  the  elec- 
tions.    God  grant  them  success  in  well  doing! 


Wvr,  * 


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